GOD WANTS YOU TO BE HAPPY

When you eat the labour of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. - Psalm 128:2

Happy life does not just appear out of the blue. It must be deliberately pursued. These guidelines can help you live a happier life.

Pursue contentment. Ask God to help you be content with your money, your health, and other situations in your life.

Realize that true contentment doesn't depend on external circumstances, but on internal peace that only God can give.

Take out the pressure of unnecessary competition and rivalry from your life. Don't allow what someone else has to keep you from enjoying what you have. Enjoy what you have.

Don't feel guilty about enjoying the blessings God gives you. Understand that living in deprivation and need doesn't somehow make you a more seriously spiritual person.

Remember that God Himself is joyful and intends you to fully enjoy the gifts He gives you. Go ahead and have fun pursuing your interests, knowing that as long as you don't engage in anything harmful and sinful, you can enjoy your pursuits.

Take care of your body, mind, and spirit. Recognize that you'll enjoy life much more if you're in your best possible physical, mental, and spiritual health than if you neglect one or more of these areas.

Eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep and exercise, constantly seek to learn something new, and stay close to God through Christ. Give generously.

While enjoying what the Lord has blessed you with, give a thought for those who need help. Don't wait until it's convenient for you to help others.

Decide to give whenever God leads you to, trusting that God will give you joy in return.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to wisely manage my life so that I can live a happy and contented life.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 128:1-6

Prayer for the new week

The mighty hands of God's protection shall cover you and every member of your family, God will

give you beauty for ashes in Jesus name.Those who think they've pushed you away from favour will soon realize that they have actually pushed you into the fulfillment of your destiny.I pray that all your lost glories shall be restored in Jesus name and you will never know sorrow again. So shall it be for you and every member of your family in Jesus name.

Happy new week and haven fun from us ASB'S World.

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YOU ARE REIGNING WITH CHRIST?

Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 2:5-6

Knowing what God has made us in Christ Jesus empowers us to fully claim and occupy our rightful positions. Christ partook of our human nature so that we can also partake of His divine nature and positions.

He lives His life 'together' with us. Through His life, death and resurrection, God has:

• Made us alive. God is a life-giver. He makes our spirits alert and responsive to His Holy Spirit. Because we are alive to Him, we can hear the voice of God and experience His presence. We are no longer dead in sins but alive to righteousness.

• Raised us up. God is a lifter. He found us knocked down and out on the sidewalk of life and reached out to us.

His grace raises us from the deepest depths of sin, shame and defeat. Because He has raised us, we can walk tall and live confidently.

• Made us sit. We are seated where Christ is seated, at the right hand of the Father. To sit where Christ is seated is to benefit from the favour and authority that the Father has made available to Christ. We have the ear of the Father when we pray.

We are seated in a seat that is far above principalities and powers of evil.

Prayer: Thank You Father, for the new position of favour You have set me in through Christ.

Scriptural Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10

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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