THE WORD IS ALIVE AND POWERFUL

My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Psalm 89:34

An unbelieving professor in a university, in speaking of the Bible, said that it was quite impossible in these days to believe in any book whose authorship is unknown.

He then wondered how any civilized person could still believe in the Bible.

In response, a Christian student asked if the compiler of the multiplication table was known. "No!" answered the professor. The student countered, "Then, of course, you do not believe in it." "Oh yes," was the professor's reply.

"I believe in it because it works well." "So does the Bible," was the rejoinder from the student.

"I believe in it because it works". The skeptic professor had no answer to that. Yes, we believe the Bible because it works. But the Bible does not work because it has supernatural power in itself.

No. The Bible works because it is the word of our supernatural God. God inspired people to write down His word for us so that we can know His thoughts and walk in His ways.

For the Bible to work for you, you must:

• Respect what it says. The Bible is the word of God and so must be read with reverence. Its words are inspired by God.

• Understand what it says. Spend time to understand the historical and cultural context of the Bible and how it applies to you today.

• Believe what it says. Understanding must lead to faith. Faith is the force that releases the power of God.

• Apply what it says. When you dare to act on the demands of scripture, you will release God's supernatural power to work on your behalf.

Prayer: Lord, make Your Word real to me and reveal Your power in my life.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 89:28-34

Health: What Exactly Is Stress, and How Can We Overcome It?

Stress is the internal reaction to outside circumstances. Modern life is stressful, and no two people respond to it the same way even if they are faced with the same stressors.

We are wonderfully made, and the ability of "choice" is a gift from God. With this gift comes the responsibility to make choices that best take care of our body, mind and spiritual health. However, in order to live a less stressful and more fulfilling life, we must first understand stress: what it means, what it does and how it can present.

Stress in not inherently bad. Everything in life stresses us to a point, but some stress can motivate us and wake up our brain. At the first signs of stress, the immune system, memory and the ability to learn actually all increase.

Without stress in our lives, our minds would be come dull and our bodies, weak. Good stressors can be identified as normal responsibilities: a regular schedule, productive work and study, strenuous physical exercise, interaction with others and fighting off normal germs and toxins found in the environment.

However, chronic stress can both shorten the length and diminish the quality of your life. Chronic stress from career, family obligations and even good things like ministry or volunteer work can eventually wreak havoc on your overall health. If you drove your car at a high speed every day, all day, it would wear out faster than if you drove it a reasonable amount and speed.

Stress affects the body and mind. The true cause of sickness and disease is not stress, but rather the body's inability to adapt and recover from stress. When we are stressed, our pulse rate and blood pressure increases and the adrenal gland dumps cortisol into the bloodstream.

Stress can also create a desire to escape or avoid tasks, because we believe we are out of control—and the more out of control we feel, the more stressed we become. This is what we know about stress and the body: it's not so much the amount of stress, but the amount of time you are in a state of stress.

It is possible to "catch" stress. Recent studies show that when we observe another human under stress, our bodies react empathetically as if it were our own. If people around you are consistently negative, sarcastic, combative, or stressed out, there is a good chance it will cause you to feel distress as well. The autonomic stress response (fight or flight) is triggered by both real and perceived events, so even something as small as a stressful scene in a movie can elevate your cortisol levels. Found in your common morning brew, too much caffeine puts the nervous and hormonal systems into a constant state of 'fight or flight,' depleting energy reserves and leading to anxiety, weight gain and insomnia.

You may be stressed and not even know it. Between the bromine in flour, the chlorine and fluoride in drinking water, and the carcinogenic chemicals in personal care products, our bodies are bombarded every single day with toxins that stress the entire system. When you combine an overabundance of toxins with the number of years we are absorbing these toxins unknowingly, we eventually hit the tipping point.

Years of chronic stress wear out the adrenals and immune system, and unbeknownst to us, it can feel quite normal. When our bodies are used to the high stress levels, anything different would alert us to an issue. God made thousands of foods for us to enjoy, and most of them don't even require preparation. Instead of opting for manmade foods, eat a variety of raw, natural, organic foods to nourish your body.

Understanding stress is the first step in identifying it and how it might be infiltrating your mind, body and overall health. To help combat chronic stress, make physical exercise a priority, get adequate sleep, eat a diet that optimizes gut health and learn to slow down—being busy is not synonymous with being successful.

Some stress is good, but too much stress can be harmful. A good rule to remember: Some stress motivates; more stress complicates; and a lot of stress deteriorates. source charismamag.com

GOD IS ALWAYS ON TIME

Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. Matthew 14:25

In Matthew 14, we read about the disciples being tossed by the wind and waves in their boat on the Sea of Galilee. Then Jesus came, walking on the water, at the fourth watch of the night.

The fourth watch was the last part of the night, just before dawn. This means the disciples had been at sea for at least nine hours in this fierce storm. So we see that Jesus came to them at the last conceivable moment.

This reminds us that God's delays are not necessarily His denials. Jesus knew what He was doing all along. Why did He wait so long before He intervened?

Probably because it took a long time for them to exhaust their resources and completely trust in Him.

Lifeguards will tell you that often the hardest person to save is the one who is panicking. But when an individual is exhausted, when he or she has no energy left, the lifeguard can pull that person back in to safety.

In the same way, sometimes God will allow us to get to the end of our rope, to the end of our resources, so we will finally cling to Him.
The disciples were exhausted and afraid. T

hen Jesus said to them, 'It is I; do not be afraid.' Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

For many of us, that is what Jesus is waiting for. He is waiting for us to willingly receive him into our situation.

He is waiting for us to get to where we realize that without Him we can do nothing.

If we invite Him, He will take control of our storm-tossed boat, even in the darkest night, and take us to our desired destination.

Prayer: Thank You Father, that Your timing is always perfect.

Scriptural Reading: Matthew 14:22-33

MEEKNESS

Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 

Meekness is also referred to as gentleness. On the face level it may be seen as a weakness but on closer examination, we perceive its strength.

Meekness is the ability to apply strength and power without injuring the weak. For a person to be meek, he or she must first of all be strong and be aware of their strength.

It is the ability to exhibit strength with grace and care. Meekness is an attitude of submission toward God and gentleness toward men.

Meekness is:
• A recognition that God is in control.

• Strength and courage under control.

• A sober estimation of ourselves.

• Respect for others.

In the Old Testament, meekness was in relation to suffering, oppressed, afflicted. It refers to the spirit of people who remain unbroken under the pain and burden of their suffering.

It is the strength to endure hardship and prevail in the end. People who are meek look soft on the outside but are very tough on the inside. They dress their strength in garments of humility and service.

They may not boast about their strengths but they deliver beyond expectation. They are the opposites of talkers who never perform.

Jesus says those who have this disposition are the ones who really end up taking possession of the earth and its fullness.

Meekness expresses a spirit of willingness and obedience towards God's dealings with us.

It is that disposition of heart that accepts God's dealings and is able to quietly and without boasting believe God for the unusual.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to be meek and humble.

Scriptural Reading: Matthew 5:3-12

Video of the day

Octopus leaps out of water, grabs crab, so funny.

It's an epic battle between two creatures: by cnn,  http://cnn.it/17wcpDw

The 6 relationship/marriage killer phrases to avoid

There are many things that can harm a marriage: financial stress, unfaithful partner, uncontrolled addictions. All of these things take a considerable amount of effort and time from both partners. But there is one thing that can change the quality of a marriage almost instantly: What you say to each other on a daily basis. If you'd like to avoid arguments or diffuse the start of one, make a conscious effort of omitting these phrases from your conversations.

1. "You always/never..."
Never start a sentence with this phrase no matter how much you may feel it in the moment. It's a harsh accusation to say to your spouse "you never listen" or "you always work late" because a) it's not true. b) Most of the time this comment is born in the heat of the moment. A better way of speaking your mind would be taking a deep breath and saying, "Sometimes I don't feel heard or understood. Do you mind listening for a couple of minutes? It's really important to me" or, "I'm sure all these extra hours are hard on you. It has been tough on our family, as well. Maybe we can discuss some ways we can have some more family time."

2. "I hear a new gym just opened up. You should seriously think about signing up. You need it."
This is basically a slap to the face and implying your dissatisfaction with your spouse's body. Never say something negative about your sweetheart's body. Never.

3. "If you really loved me, you would do..."
This sounds like a trap. Essentially, it is communicating that your spouse is selfish if he doesn't do XYZ. In reality, I feel the opposite is true. The person who is making this request is being selfish as she is not considering the feelings of her partner. What if it's something your spouse is uncomfortable with? What if it's not in the budget? Not only that, but this sounds manipulative and one-sided. No one wants to be forced to do anything. When it comes to major decisions that will affect both parties, it's best if they are mutually decided upon, and not demanded in the name of "love."

4. "I can't wait to go to work/for you to go to work."
I know. Many of us have been here. You've had a not so perfect weekend/evening/holiday together, and you feel like distance between you is the answer. A little break from each other to cool tempers and clear minds is good, even healthy. But actually telling your significant other that you would like them to be elsewhere or that you don't want to be near her is hurtful and devalues her as your partner and parent of your children. Regardless of the argument(s), just rephrase your need for some space. Something like, "I'm sorry we've had a rough couple of days together. Maybe we can start again tomorrow."

5. "You're such a (insert insulting name)."
This is your spouse. Your confidant. Your sweetheart. Even if you feel the insult is deserved — don't say it. Take the higher road. Don't just react in an argument, try to diffuse it with, "I'm sure you didn't mean that. Let's talk about this when you are yourself." Or, "That was hurtful. When you're ready to talk respectfully, we can discuss this problem together." read here

6. "Well, so-and-so's spouse does that..."
Ouch. Comparing can cause resentment and feelings of inadequacy. I'm reminded of the phrase, "Choose your love, love your choice." This doesn't mean you just put up with bad habits. But how you approach your partner makes a world of difference in how safe and valued they feel with you. Here's another way of communicating your feelings: "You know what makes me feel loved? When you help me do dishes/help the kids with homework/clean up after yourself."

Marriages are fragile. Let us be more careful and mindful of what, and how, we communicate with our sweethearts. The wrong tone, word choice or angry outburst can do more damage than most of us realize. I like the quote by Family Advocate F. Burton Howard in regards to marriage: "If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently."

LOOKING BEYOND YOUR NEEDS EVEN WHEN IN PAIN

When your pain is too strong, most of the times, we are so blinded by the pain...
When one is distressed, it looks like your situation is the worst in the world, and you tend to concentrate on getting a way out of your situation, or you are busy welling up self-pity! WHY ME....
Self pity, Anger, Frustration, Finger pointing, Jealousy towards those who have what you don't
Then you start to take it out on the people around you......as if they are the ones who caused you the problem.

Naomi, a woman of many sorrows.
Left her kinsmen a fully fulfilled woman. In those times when having sons was everything you needed to be a proud woman. Sons went to war. Sons worked on the farms, if you have them, you are sure to be rich....Naomi, had her hopes raised of being well taken care of in her old age. She must have been the envy of many of the women of the time.

But then, it all changed, she lost her husband suddenly. Consoled that all was not lost, she still had her two sons...who took wives and she was reassured that there was hope.
In not too long ten years later, SUDDENLY, BOTH SONS DIED!
Dont even think, what was going though her mind. ALL THAT SHE HAS LIVED FOR WAS GONE.....

Naomi , sad and mournful made a move to return, empty-handed , back to her people.
Ruth 1:20-21 MSG ;But she said, “Don’t call me Naomi; call me Bitter. The Strong One has dealt me a bitter blow. I left here full of life, and God has brought me back with nothing but the clothes on my back. Why would you call me Naomi? God certainly doesn’t. The Strong One ruined me.”

But what Naomi did in spite of her disaster is the lesson from today's teaching........LOOKING BEYOND YOUR NEEDS EVEN WHEN IN PAIN.

Ruth 3:1-4 NLT
One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for. Boaz is a close relative of ours, and he’s been very kind by letting you gather grain with his young women. Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor. Now do as I tell you—take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking. Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do.”
Ruth 4:13-17 NLT
So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the lord , who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.

Naomi cared less about herself now, she focused on Ruth......to be fair, Ruth was no longer her business. The men in the family were supposed to sort out her redemption.
But Naomi, put herself in a position to restore Ruth to favour and married life.
She told her how to even make herself attractive. Haaaaaa.....when most mother in laws will still be cursing you that you brought bad luck to their family!!!!!!!!!! And the talk about any other man having you is like an abomination.

This action gave Naomi her own life back. The same people who may have gossiped that she killed her husband and two sons came back to celebrate the restoration in her family. They proclaimed NAOMI HAS A SON AGAIN......This son produced Jesus in their lineage.

What is your reaction towards life challenges?
How do you relate with people when things are not going the way you planned?
When your husband is misbehaving, the house-help suffers calamity.
When you desire something and you don't, all the people who have the same thing you desire, becomes targets of your hostility. You pull them down and hate them.

Your attitude towards failure and delay may have a lot to with why your answers have not come.
God is the one who restores. God is the one who replenishes....
Sorrow should not change who your are, it should not make you who you are not. Let your focus be on the GOD WHO RESTORES....

Accused and ashamed, removed from your place of glory and honour.....LET GOD HAVE A GOOD REASON TO RESTORE YOU....LET YOUR ATTITUDE BE RIGHT. ...even if you are weak and miss it, still His mercy is available....Obtain His mercy for your past ignorance and step forward. Refuse to be defined by the failures and disappointment that life has thrown your way. He who restored Naomi after all hope was lost is able to reward you. Sis Bola.

WHOLEHEARTED DEVOTION

Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. Mark 16:9

Of all the people Jesus could have appeared to first after His resurrection, He appeared to Mary Magdalene. This is interesting, because among the Jews of His days, the testimony of a woman was not held in high regard.

In fact, some of the rabbis falsely taught that it was better for the words of the Law to be burned than to be delivered by a woman.

Yet Jesus chose a woman to be the first herald of His resurrection. It is also worth noting that women were the last at the cross and the first at the tomb.

Mary had courage that many of the men did not have when Jesus was crucified. She stood by Him through it all.

In fact, the Bible tells us that after He was crucified, Mary "observed where He was laid" (Mark 15:47).

She watched as they took His crucified body from the cross and wrapped it and placed it in a tomb that belonged to Joseph of Arimathea. And while the guards were deciding to post a soldier by that tomb, she spent an entire night there all alone, before the guards were there .. . before the disciples were there.

And her love was rewarded. God said, "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).

God rewards the person who is diligent. And for those who will take time in their day to seek the Lord, for those who will take time to read His Word, for those who will take time to wait upon Him, He will reveal His truths to them.

Prayer: Lord, may I seek You with all my heart, and find You in all areas of my life.

Scriptural Reading: Mark 16:9-19

Prayer for new week

With every harvest comes an unusual restoration,You will experience total recovery of the things you thought were lost. Every dead vision, enterprise or project will receive life again in Jesus name. Every mountain standing in the way of your progress is coming down. This year, you are moving forward with supernatural speed in Jesus name.

Happy New Week from us ASB-World. 

 

GO TO SLEEP

David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 2 Samuel 12:16

You must learn to leave situations in God's hands when you cannot tell the outcome of an issue.

Sometimes you can get caught in situations where it appears as if you are in a no-win situation and no matter what happens, you will end up with a bad result.

In such cases, you must learn to release the situation to the Lord and rest in Him. King David dealt with such a situation when the prophet Nathan confronted him with the sin of adultery and the murder of his bodyguard — Uriah.

The judgment against David was that the consequence of his action would end in the death of the baby to be born out of the adulterous relationship.

David did not know what to do - no matter the outcome; it was going to be bad for him.

He prayed and fasted and just lay before the Lord.
He did not stand in prayer to claim any promise of God.

He just lay down in surrender, trusting the Lord to handle it in the best way possible.

Later when David heard that the baby was dead, he accepted the outcome and moved on with his life.

He trusted God with the outcome, and accepted the verdict without questioning God or getting bitter.

Like David, we must learn to accept God's judgment in every situation.
He is a loving and a righteous Father. All His ways are perfect. Even His judgments are inspired by His unfailing love.

Prayer: I thank You Father, that You are a righteous God. All Your ways are perfect. May You have Your way in me.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Samuel 12:1-23

FORGIVE YOUR ENEMIES

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14

We have all experienced situations in our lives when submitting to the will of God becomes very difficult for us.

For example, when someone has really mistreated or done something terrible against you, committing the situation to God for Him to deal with it His own way is very challenging.

Anytime you go into prayer about the situation, you are inclined to curse the person instead of praying for the person to change. This is so especially when the more you try to be nice to the person, the worse they become.

In such circumstances, we are commanded to forgive the person and pray for them. When you pray, you leave the issue in God's hands and trust Him to deal with it in the best way.

This kind of prayer is very difficult, and many times when we leave issues in the Lord's hands, we go back for them and handle them our own way.

In every instance of suffering, our Lord handed over both the situation and Himself to the Father's care. He did so because He was confident in the righteous judgment of the Father.

When He was reviled, He committed His ways to the Father. On the cross when He was suffering and dying, he still committed Himself to the Father. That is the way you should respond when confronted with unjust persecution on the job or in your families and relationships.

When you retaliate, you forfeit the blessing and reward that suffering is meant to bring. Retaliation shows your lack of confidence in God's ability to make things right in His own time.

Prayer: Father, I commit all my hurts to You; heal me. I ask for Your forgiveness for all those who have hurt me one way or the other.

Scriptural Reading: Romans 12:14-21

SPINACH & RICOTTA CHEESE PANCAKES

You would need,

250 grams Ricotta or Home Made Cottage Cheese
1/3 C Spring Onion (green leaves only)
½ C finely chopped Spinach Leaves (washed)
2 Eggs, separated
1 Green Chilies (finely chopped)
1/3 C Rice Flour

Salt to taste
¾ tsp Chili flakes (adjust according to heat)
Oil to cook pancakes read here

Drain any excess water from the ricotta by keeping the ricotta in a strainer lined with cheese cloth or muslin cloth. Transfer the drained cheese in a mixing bowl and whisk with a spatula until smooth. Add the spring onions, egg yolks, green chillies, rice flour, salt, chili flakes and spinach leaves and mix them in well.
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks are formed. Fold in half of the egg whites to the cheese mix and then add the rest of the egg whites.
Pour a teaspoon of oil on a hot griddle or non-stick pan and add 2-3 tablespoon of cheese batter. Spread it a little with the back of a spoon and cook till the bottom begins to turn brownish and then flip and cook the other side in a similar way. Remove from heat and serve with the tomato relish.
Note: The pancakes can be made ahead and reheated over the griddle pan.
Note: Be sure to use freshly made cottage cheese and not the store brought one sold in blocks.
Note: You can swap spinach with vegetable/s of your choice.
Yield: 8 (the size shown in pics)

Ginger is the perfect herb to grow indoors

Ginger is the perfect herb to grow indoors. It’s very low-maintenance, loves partial sunlight, and you can use parts of it at a time, leaving the rest in the soil to continue growing. Besides, it’s delicious! Really, what’s not to love about growing ginger inside?

A bit about ginger

Ginger takes 10 months to mature and it doesn’t tolerate frost. If you live in a place where it gets chilly in the winter, you’d be better off growing ginger in a pot indoors and bringing it outside in the summertime.

Ginger is one of those miraculous plants that grows well in partial to full shade, which makes it ideal for growing in your home, where most people don’t have full sun pouring on their windows all day long.

Little bits of the ginger root can be removed while it continues to grow. A little bit of ginger goes a long way, so these pieces can be used for cooking, brewing tea or for herbal remedies.

How to plant ginger

The best ginger to plant is purchased from a garden center or seed catalog. You’ll have much better luck if you get seed ginger that was meant to be planted. However, ginger can be hard to find from garden suppliers, especially locally.

Ginger purchased from the produce department of your local grocery store can be used to grow a plant, but with spotty results. Grocery store ginger is often sprayed with a growth inhibitor to keep it from sprouting before it’s purchased. That inhibitor also keeps it from sprouting when you stick it in a pot of soil.

Grocery store ginger also could be coated in pesticides and fungicides. The truth is, you have no idea what’s on it. I’ve heard of grocery store ginger growing just fine, and I’ve heard of it sitting in a pot forever and never budging. If you do purchase your ginger from the grocery store, be sure to soak it in water overnight to remove as much growth inhibitor as you can.

Whichever way you choose to go, here are some helpful tips for growing ginger inside:

The root that you choose to plant should be plump with tight skin, not shriveled and old. It should have several eye buds on it (bumps that look like potato eyes) and if they’re already a little green, all the better.

If your root has several eye buds, it can be cut and each bud can be placed in a separate pot to produce several plants.

Be sure to pick the perfect pot!

Unlike most other houseplants, ginger loves shallow, wide pots. The roots grow horizontally so be sure the pot you choose will accommodate its growth.

How to grow ginger indoors, step by step:

1. To start with, soak the ginger root overnight in warm water to get it ready for planting.

2. Fill your pot with very rich but well draining potting soil.

3. Stick the ginger root with the eye bud pointing up in the soil and cover it with 1-2 inches of soil. Water it well.

4. Place the ginger in a spot that stays reasonably warm and doesn’t get too much bright sunlight.

5. Keep the soil moist, using a spray bottle to mist it, or water it lightly.

6. Ginger is a slow grower, after a few weeks you should see some shoots popping up out of the soil. Continue to water the plant regularly by misting it with a spray bottle and keep it warm

Harvesting ginger:

Small pieces of ginger can be harvested 3-4 months after growth begins. Pull aside some of the soil at the edges of the pot to find some rhizomes beneath the surface. Cut the needed amount off a finger at the edge of the pot and then return the soil.

Ginger can be harvested in this way endlessly, and as long as it is well cared for, it will continue to produce roots. If you need a larger harvest, you can uproot the entire plant and re-plant a few rhizomes to start the process over again. By Meredith Skyer

Prayer for new week

God is your defense in times of trouble. He will help you. He will shield you. no plot of man or scheme of the enemy intended to hurt you will prosper! Every obstacle is a stepping stone to your miracle! You are triumphant through Christ in Jesus name! 

God is positioning you for unusual exploits. He will order your steps so you can be at the right place, at the right time. This month, expect divine direction and speed in the area of your assignment, in Jesus name. The destiny of sugarcane is to be cut at the time of its sweetness. I pray for you, you will not be cut off at the time of your flourishing in Jesus name.

Happy New Week from us ASB-World. 

Happy Valentine's day

Happy Valentine's day to all our Readers and Fans, have fun and becarefulllll.

Let us know your plan for today...

BE PREPARED

Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, He will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 2 Peter 3:11-12

If we understand anything about Bible prophecy about the teaching in Scripture regarding the return of Christ - if we get that in any way, shape, or form, then this is what will happen in our lives: we will want to be more godly people.

But if not, then we are missing the point, just like the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day.

We are told in 1 John 3:2-3, "Dear friends, we are already God's children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears.

But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as He is pure."

We also read in 2 Peter 3:11, "Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God . . . "

Then Peter goes on to tell his readers what kind of lives they ought to be living in the light of this. So how does the knowledge of Christ's return affect you? Does it make you want to be a more godly man or woman?

Does it make you want to stand for the Lord and His Kingdom? When we look forward with earnest expectation to the coming of the Lord, it will inspire us to Holy living. We don't know when the Lord will return. But we know He is coming soon. And we should be prepared for His coming.

Prayer: Ask the Lord to make you kingdom-minded and inspire you to holiness and righteousness.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Peter 3:10-13

Kids: Why You Should Talk to Your Kids About Purity

In my opinion, we don't talk to kids early enough or often enough about purity.

I think most parents desire purity for their kids. They just don't consider how to lead their kids to desire purity.

It's easy to confuse purity with abstinence.

And yet there is a big difference between purity and abstinence. If you abstain fromsex, it doesn't necessarily mean you value purity. It just means you've done a good job waiting. Purity involves more than simply refraining from sex. Purity involves protecting more than just the physical body but protecting the mind and heart as well.

Television, billboards, music, movies, bathroom stalls, the school bus—the list is interesting and more extensive than my naivete cares to go. But clearly we don't have to go far to acknowledge that the purity of our kids is at stake. The consistent barrage of sexual content is inescapable. I can limit my son's television consumption, blindfold him when we drive down the road and never lead him across the threshold of Abercrombie & Fitch, and I still won't get away from the prevalence of sexual innuendos.

Can I be really honest here?

Just a few weeks ago, I made a joke around a group of other adults. In an effort to be funny, I completely failed to remember the teens present. Oh. My. Word. I walked away completely ashamed of how I redirected their thoughts to someplace they didn't need to be any time soon.

Our kids will confront sexual content on many different levels as they engage with society. Learning how to maintain purity today is a survival skill that lays a foundation for a healthy marriage in the future.

Kyle and I started talking to our son, Keegan, about purity when he was 8 years old. I'm having similar conversations with our daughter, Josie, now. Each are learning that we cannot always control what people put on a billboard, but we can control whether or not we look at it. And we need to be wise about what we look at.

The more we broach the subject and the more honest we are with them, the more they trust us to ask frank questions. And that's where we want to be.

So, if you're waiting until your child starts dating before you talk about purity, consider sowing that seed today. Purity is a skill that takes time to hone. Give them every advantage to excel in this.

Gina McClain 

Crispy Garlic Chicken and Spinach Egg Rolls with Gouda Cheese

Crispy Garlic Chicken and Spinach Egg Rolls with Gouda Cheese, Served with Roasted Red Pepper Salsa for Dipping

Yield: Makes about 20

Ingredients:

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, minced very finely
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Peanut or canola oil, plus more for frying
• 2 cups fresh, baby spinach leaves, chopped
• 1 tablespoons chopped, flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons water
• 10 egg roll (or “spring roll”) skins, cut in half on the bias to create 20 triangles (*see note below)
• 1 ¼ cup grated gouda cheese
• Roasted Red Pepper Salsa (recipe below)

(*The skins purchased from an Asian market are the best for these, as they are very thin and yield a really crispy result; you can find them in the refrigerated section, and the size is about 8×8, or a large square. But if you don’t have an Asian market nearby, you can typically find skins at your local grocery store in the refrigerated section where they keep the tofu and fresh ramen noodles, etc.)

TIP: These are perfect made the day before, and placed on a parchment-lined baking sheet then wrapped tightly with plastic wrap so they don’t dry out, and kept in the fridge overnight; then, just fry when you’re ready to serve!

Preparation:

-Add your minced chicken to a medium-size bowl, and to it add the 2 garlic cloves and a couple of good pinches of salt and black pepper; toss to coat.

-Place a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, and drizzle in a little of the oil; once the pan is hot, add in the chicken and saute until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes; using a slotted spoon, scoop the chicken out of the pan, leaving the juices behind, and spoon into a paper towel-lined plate or bowl to cool completely.

-Once the minced chicken has completely cooled, add it to a large bowl; then add in the chopped spinach, parsley, cilantro, parmesan and the pinch of red pepper flakes, plus a tiny drizzle of oil, and mix to combine well; taste to check if any additional salt or pepper is needed.

-Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and set it nearby.

-Whisk together the cornstarch and the water to create a slurry, as you will use this to seal your egg rolls closed; set aside.

-To roll your egg rolls, take a triangle (half of an egg roll skin) and place it in front of you with the point facing upward.

-Place 2 tablespoons of your chicken filling in the center along the bottom part of your triangle, and shape it into a log shape; sprinkle about a teaspoon or so of the cheese over that.

-Next, fold the bottom left corner toward the center, then the right corner, making what looks like a little envelope; then, roll upwards as tightly as you can, and tuck as you go (try not to leave any air gaps or bubbles,); then dab the top corner with a little cornstarch slurry and seal.

-Place the egg rolls on the parchment-lined baking sheet, keeping them covered with a piece of plastic wrap so they don’t dry out, and repeat until all are rolled.

-Heat about 3 cups of the oil in a small pot or sauce pan, and bring up to 350°; then, carefully add about 3 egg rolls at a time to the hot oil, and fry for about 4 minutes; drain on a wire rack to maintain crispness.

-Serve while hot with chilled Roasted Red Pepper Salsa.

Roasted Red Pepper Salsa Ingredients:

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can organic diced and fire-roasted tomatoes
• ¼ cup roughly chopped roasted red peppers (good quality, from a jar)
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• 1 tablespoon cilantro
• Salt

Preparation:

-Place all ingredients up to and including the cilantro into the bowl of a food processor, and add in a couple of good pinches of salt; process until smooth, then check to see if any additional salt is needed.

-Serve chilled or room temp.

By Ingrid Beer

Home is home....

Home is where you are welcome and accepted in spite of all your inadequacies. When you have been on a long journey, all you want to do is to return home. Depending on how long you have had to wait before the return, the vivid picture of what home looks like is starting to faint. You need to make a conscious effort to remind yourself what the front door, the trees, the bus-stops look like.

Imagine being away for 5 long years..... even the memory of names will be faint.

With the uncertainty in life, most warriors fear as they leave their families. They have one big worry, WILL I EVER RETURN?

They behave as though every day is the last day, they hold and love as though that will be the last.

Whilst they are away fighting, with the oppressors closing in daily, the likelihood of being free again seem more and more distant.

They are preoccupied with fear more than faith.

Most of the times, they are already abandoned and they are treated as the victims who suffer , so that their country may experience peace, their blood is the peace offering that their land needs.

There are many battles that we fight, as Christian women, most of these seem like there is no hope in sight.

At times, when you are waiting for a husband, the MARRIED YOU, with a lovely husband and happy children is not a vision that you see....because its so far fetched.

As a waiting mum, its difficult to envision you in the labour ward and you bringing your baby out wrapped in your embrace.

As a professional, having written the same exam again and again and you now face an ultimatum, YOU DONT SEE A RETURN... It seem so far away.

Whatever you state today and whatever it is that has kept you in the far far away land for so long, that you now see deliverance as an unlikely event, God says to tell you.....YOU SHALL RETURN.

Isaiah 51:11-15 says
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
12 “I, I am he who comforts you;
who are you that you are afraid of man who dies,
of the son of man who is made like grass,
13 and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,
who stretched out the heavens
and laid the foundations of the earth,
and you fear continually all the day
because of the wrath of the oppressor,
when he sets himself to destroy?
And where is the wrath of the oppressor?
14 He who is bowed down shall speedily be released;
he shall not die and go down to the pit,
neither shall his bread be lacking.
15 I am the Lord your God,
who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—
the Lord of hosts is his name.

The sound of RETURN HOME....is one that the solder at war waits for day in, day out.....Its soothing, its a sound of joy.
You may not know when , and you may not know how, but He who made you says to tell you that
YOU WILL RETURN......
YOU WILL RETURN WITH REJOICING.

There is a kind of rejoicing that makes you forget the pains of your long journey. You will not be able to recollect how long you had to wait. It will be like a cloud that disappears, when you shall return. The journey , for you may have been several years, but the lord says in verse 14.....HE WHO IS BOWED SHALL SPEEDILY BE RELEASED.

Sisters/brothers, can I encourage your heart this new week, God is still in the business of organising memorable returns. He will do it in a way that you will forget all the pains of the times you spent lonely and longing on the war front...

He will replace your sighing and sorrow with gladness and joy. You shall return

By sister bola.

SAY "YES LORD"

But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." Luke 5: 5

When Peter said "yes" to Jesus' request to get into his boat, and after on to cast his net for a catch, the future apostle's plans and life were irrevocably changed.

The following three benefits Peter received for his obedience to the Lord will be yours when you also walk in obedience to Him:

• Moment of obedience as Peter's destiny was revealed to him. After Jesus had filled the empty nets with an enormous catch, He transformed Peter into a "fisher of men".

The Lord said to him, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men". Peter's life mission was made known to him through obedience.

• Obeying God allows Him to demonstrate His power in our life. Peter witnessed the miracle catch of fish that started with a "yes" to a simple request.

He could have said that would be a waste of time and effort, since they had toil all night without a catch. Instead, he took the Lord at His word and saw the power of God at work.

• Obedience always results in a deeper understanding of God and of ourselves. Having seen the miracle of the full nets, Peter gained fresh insight into who Jesus was and how he, Peter, was a sinful man.

Later on when Jesus asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I am?" Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven".

It was at that moment of obedience, I believe, Peter had this glorious revelation of Jesus of Nazareth.

Prayer: Lord, give a heart that is always obedient to Your Word.

Scriptural Reading: Luke 5:1-11

ACCEPT GOD'S SOLUTION

And when he had consulted with the people, appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: "Praise the LORD, for His mercy endures forever." - 2 Chronicles 20:21

Christians almost universally agree, "God answers prayer." But many people, if they were honest, would amend the phrase to say, "The Lord answers most prayers, but not mine."

A believer can fervently call upon God without receiving what he considers a satisfactory answer. The stumbling block isn't God's unwillingness or inability to respond, but rather our unwilling to accept His solution.

If we come to God with a pre-conceived idea of how to solve our problem, we will likely overlook His true solution.

Suppose King Jehoshaphat had decided that God could answer his prayer only by giving the army extra strength for the forthcoming skirmish. He would have called a war council, arrayed his soldiers in armour, and set up battle lines.

God's solution was entirely unexpected: First, send the choirs out singing praises, then watch the Lord save Israel. If Jehoshaphat's soldiers had attempted combat, they would have lost Jerusalem.

Sometimes we don't like God's solution. We desire freedom from physical pain rather than an extra measure of grace to endure the hurt.

Or we want a new job, not a command to seek the boss' forgiveness for our poor attitude.

In essence, we want the Lord to fix everything without requiring any effort from us. But our willingness to obey is key to answered prayer.

When He tells us how to resolve our problem, we must act just as He specifies, or we will never experience victory.

Prayer: Father, all Your ways are perfect. Show me Your ways.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:14-25

Prayer for new week

Your little efforts will produce great results. You will change position this year. You will move out of the class of 'the rest' into the class of 'the best'. You will come out 'better' and not bitter. Wherever your helpers are, they will locate you.  God will preserve and keep you and your loved ones from evil, accidents, tragedy and calamity. 

The Lord is your refuge and your fortress, so you shall not be moved; sorrow and tears shall not be your portion. As the Lord showed favor to Joseph and promoted him in the middle of famine and economic predicaments; so shall you be highly favored even in the midst of tough economic situations and chaos around you.

Happy New Week from us ASB-World. 

The 4 Prophetic Words That Will Inspire Your Prayer Life

Sometimes you pray and you wonder if God is even hearing you. You grow weary in waiting for the answers to your prayers. I've been there. I get it.

But God does hear your prayers. In fact, He loves to hear you pray and wants you to keep crying out. I believe these four prophetic utterances the Holy Spirit shared with me will inspire your prayer life.

1. I Love to Hear You Pray

I love to hear your voice in prayer every morning when you awake. It's one of My favorite parts of the day. When you awake and begin declaring your love for Us, it moves Our heart. When you inquire of Me, it is My pleasure to answer. When you speak to My heart, it is My joy to speak back to yours. I hear your voice even when the hectic pace of life makes it difficult for you to hear Mine. So keep lifting your voice to Father in prayer. Keep telling Me about your struggles, fears, dreams and victories. I'm listening.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 63:1; Psalm 27:4; Psalm 34:15

PRAYER: Remind me to begin each day praising Your name and lifting up my petitions to Father's throne—and help me, because I do not know how to pray as I ought. I trust in You to help me touch Father's heart in prayer.

2. Keep Crying Out

Sometimes when you stand up for what is right, people around you will call you a fanatic and say you are overreacting. But truth is truth, and you are called to proclaim it. Sometimes when you pursue Jesus with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and all your strength, people will say you are too fervent. But fire is fire. Remember blind Bartimaeus! He needed a touch from Jesus, so instead of remaining silent when the Messiah went by, he cried out to Him. The people around him told him to quiet his mouth, but he cried out all the more. Don't stop crying out for truth. Don't stop crying out for a touch from Jesus. Don't let anyone put out your fire. We love it!

SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:27; John 14:6; Mark 10:46-52

PRAYER: I want to burn and shine for You even when people don't understand my love for You. Help me to share Your heart with the people around me so they can know You the way I do and burn and shine with me.

3. You Can Tell Me Anything

You can trust Me. I am your Confidant. I am your Counselor. You can tell Me anything. Share your God-given dreams with Me, and I will help you bring them to pass. Share your fears with Me, and I will help you overcome them. Share your prayers with Me, and I will help you lift them to Father. You can trust Me. Seeing you walk in everything Jesus has for you—helping you reach your destiny in Christ—is part of My mission. I am on your side! I am for you, not against you.

SCRIPTURE: John 14:26; Romans 8:26; Romans 8:31

PRAYER: I need Your help more than I realized. Please hear my heart and help me to lean and depend on You as the Lover of my soul. Deliver me from evil, and help me become all Jesus died and rose again for me to be. Help me to trust You more.

4. I Can Do More Than You Can Imagine

Take the limits off. Do you realize that the power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead dwells in you? Do you know that I am able to do more—much, much more—for you than you can ever imagine? Do you know that I want to? Will you believe in Me the way I believe in you? Take the limits off! Dream with Me! Let your eyes see, your ears hear and your heart dwell on what I have prepared for the one I love. Your best is yet to come. Only believe.

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1:19-20; Ephesians 3:20; 1 Corinthians 2:9

PRAYER: Your promises are glorious, and I want to walk in every one of them. I want to see things the way You see them. Reveal to me the things You have prepared for me in love. Stir my heart to follow You toward Your perfect will.

Jennifer LeClaire