14 LESSONS LIFE HAS TAUGHT ME IN YEAR 2013!

1. Life has taught me that my attitude determines everything.

2. Life has taught me that if you don't let go off the past, you will never appreciate the present.

3. Life has taught me that through the hardest of times is when you will see the true strength of your soul.

4. Life has taught me that there is always something to be grateful for.

5. Life has taught me that we all have what it takes to make a difference in this world.

6. Life has taught me that if you don't have your health, you don't have anything, so cherish your body and take care of your soul.

7. Life has taught me that if you don't believe in yourself, then no one else will.

8. Life has taught me that change can be good.

9. Life has taught me that good friends are family.

10. Life has taught me to always follow my heart
and never be afraid to love.

11. Life has taught me that the simple things in life are actually the most significant.

12. Life has taught me that you are the secret to your own success.

13. Life has taught me that true wisdom is found in failure and gained through experience.

14. Life has taught me to always have passion and never stop pursuing your dreams....

What has life taught you also?

By D-Boy.

God Never Goes on Break!

Christmas day itself may have come and gone but most of us are still in holiday mode. I woke up yesterday morning and just lounged in bed till 9am, what bliss! Then after having breakfast and a bit of chit-chat, I was off straight to bed again. I call it luxury time…lol. I’m sure a number of us had some time to rest just as well.

But wait, can you imagine what would happen if God was ever to go on break? Let’s say He decides to rest and says to the angels “I’m not taking any prayer requests today. Please hold all requests till I get back from my well-deserved rest”. What a joke! But there are times we have actually felt God went on a break and left us hanging. We cried, we prayed, we asked and yet we thought there was no answer.

My task is simple today. I’m here to remind us – GOD NEVER HAS A HOLIDAY MODE. He doesn’t go on break and leave His children stranded, not even because of Christmas!

So while in this holiday season dear Friend, do not go on break from God as well. Keep your praise on, keep your prayers up, keep your hope alive, keep your faith active. Because God never goes on break!

P.S: I think it is worthy of note that God has been saying same thing in this season through different people. Someone needs to just defy what is seen and hold on to hope unseen. God never fails.

Shalom

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Isaiah 49:15 - “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer

Prayer: Faithful Father! Thank you for never going on break.
  By Deby Okoh

YOU DIDN'T DESERVE THE GIFT BUT GOD GAVE

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Who is on your gift list this Christmas? Usually, we give gifts to family and friends. We want to buy gifts for people we love and people we care about.

We tend to give gifts to those who treat us well, people who are kind and considerate to us. And often we will give gifts in return for gifts that we have received. Some people will even buy gifts for our pets.

However, we generally don't buy gifts for our enemies, do we? We don't give a gift to the person who has slandered us in the past year. We don't give a gift to the irate neighbour who never has a kind word to say.

We don't give a gift to someone who has tried to run us out of business. Nor do we send a gift to the thief who stole the car stereo last month.

But think about this: when God sent Jesus Christ, His Son, and gave us this ultimate gift, He gave it to us while we were still His enemies.

The Bible tells us, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us".

We did nothing whatsoever to merit or deserve this gift. In fact, what we really deserve is judgment, because we all have sinned against God. We all have deliberately crossed that line.

The amazing truth of Christmas is that, in spite of our sins, God sent His Son to save us. In that tiny manger in Bethlehem, He gave us an undeserved gift.

Prayer: I worship You, Father, for giving me such an undeserved gift.

Scriptural Reading: Romans 5:1- 11

Google Have Adds Igbo, Yoruba & Hausa To Its Google Translate

Google search engine has added the 3 major Nigerian languages, Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba to its Google Translate. Google Translate is a free automatic language translation service by Google.

 It works without the intervention of human translators, using state-of-the-art technology instead. Other African languages also included are South African Zulu and Somali Language. Google translate already has 71 languages on its platform.

CHRISTMAS WAS JUST THE BEGINNING

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:7

As s we look at our world today, we realize that part of the promise of Isaiah 9:6-7 has not yet been fulfilled. The Son has been given.

The Child has been born. But He has not yet taken the government upon His shoulders.

We do not yet have peace with judgment and justice. But the good news is that there will come a day when Christ will return. He will establish His kingdom.

Before Jesus could take the government upon His shoulder, He had to take the cross upon His shoulder.

Before He could wear the crown of glory as King of Kings, He had to wear the shameful crown of thorns and give His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

The first time, a star marked His arrival. But the next time He comes, the heavens will roll back like a scroll, all of the stars will fall from the sky, and He himself will be our light.

When Jesus was born, God came near to you so you could come near to Him. Jesus came to give your life a purpose and meaning, to forgive you of your sins, and to give you the hope beyond the grave.

Christmas is not about shopping or presents. Christmas is not about the gifts under the Christmas tree.

Rather, Christmas is about the gift that was given on the tree when Christ died there for our sins and gave us the gift of eternal life.

And very soon, he will come again to establish His eternal kingdom and rule in justice and righteousness.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for being the greatest giver for all time and eternity.

Scriptural Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7

The 6 Ways Your Marriage Can Thrive in a Busy Season

I’ve come to the conclusion that more often than not, we find ourselves in a busy season of life. There is always a new assignment at work, another child’s dance recital to attend, another book to read, a new trip to take, another practice to drive the kids to, another meal to cook, another day of yard work, and now Christmas. The list goes on and on. 

So how can our marriages not only survive but thrive in these seasons? Here are six ways your marriage can thrive even through the busiest times of life:

1. Set aside a little time throughout the day. Our days often have a couple minute-long breaks here and there. So instead of checking your Twitter feed, posting on Facebook or staring off into space, make those moments count. Send a quick email or text, or make a phone call to your spouse just to let them know you are thinking about them. It’s a simple way to interact frequently and consistently without taking too much time out of your schedule.

2. Be busy together. If you find that your wife has committed to serving at school next week, serve with her. If your husband is coaching your daughter’s soccer team, volunteer to help coach with him. You may not be able to get rid of the obligations in your life, but you can certainly thrive in the busyness if you go through it together. This may even turn out to be a sweet opportunity for you to grow as a couple as you learn to interact in a new way and in a new place.

3. Leave notes around the house. You may not have hours to spend with your spouse each day, but you can take a few minutes in the morning or at night to jot down a quick love note and stick it somewhere you know your spouse will see it—on the bathroom mirror, on the kitchen counter or even on the steering wheel in the car. This will be a creative reminder of your love in the midst of the craziness of life.

4. Plan dates in advance. Planning ahead will always help you spend time wisely in your marriage. If you know you have a date set for next Saturday, you each will work to get things done for that special night. So sit down with your spouse in advance and pick a night you know will work for both of you. Then calendar it as a very important appointment.

5. Say “no” more. It’s sometimes easier to say yes when someone asks you to do something with or for them than it is to say no. It’s OK to say no more often, even to good things, so that you can focus your energy and attention on your spouse.

6. Leave more margin on your calendar. If you don’t block out time on your calendar each day where you don’t schedule anything, it will fill up by default. Leave room for the unexpected—the child who needs to be picked up, the call to get the A/C repaired, the friend who needs help—so that your focus can be fully on your spouse when you’re together.

What are some ways in which you and your spouse have worked to keep your marriage thriving in the busy seasons of life? I’d love to hear your suggestions in a comment below.  
 By Mark Merrill

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL THE SOLDIERS/TROOPS IN THE WORLD

We are wishing all Soldiers/Troops everywhere who cannot make it to be with thier loved one and families MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL, may the Lord bless you all and Keep and reward you all.
Seasons greetings from Adenike Salako Blog's World.