Effectiveness In God's Work

Key verse: “Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee. Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God” (Exodus 18:19).

We take so much on ourselves that it is a miracle in itself that many of us do not break down often. We see ourselves as champions or superstars and come to the inexplicable conclusion that we alone are capable of handling things. In the process, however, we often create more problems than we tend to solve.

Moses thought he was doing a great job as he sat daily from morning to evening, judging the cases brought by the Israelites in the wilderness. He didn’t know any other way to handle the matters they brought to him, and thought it was his responsibility to personally attend to their needs. But his father-in-law, Jethro, came on a visit and promptly told him: “The thing that thou doest is not good”. But not stopping at mere criticisms, Jethro advised that Moses learn how to delegate responsibilities to other “able men such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness”. Their role was to handle the small issues affecting the people in sets of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens, respectively. Only the difficult and delicate matters would be brought to Moses. This way, the assignment God had given him would be easier as he shared the burdens of leadership with others.

Jethro then told Moses: “If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.” Quite promptly, Moses, heeding the advice of his father-in-law, chose other capable men and assigned tasks to them at different levels, thereby lightening the burden of his work both on himself and on the people of Israel.

It is not a mark of effectiveness to concentrate responsibilities on oneself. If anything, we run the risk of failing to live up to the expectations both of those who gave us the assignment and those we lead. We must never get to a point where we begin to think that without us, nothing can be done well. When we take so much on ourselves, we risk burning out. Worse still, we become ineffective and therefore, unsuited for the responsibility given to us.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God does not need superstars; He needs servants.

Bible reading: EXODUS 18:13-27

The 7 Love Actions to Show Your Spouse

Romantic movies often trick us into thinking that grand gestures equal big love. They tell us we need to write a message in the clouds or paint words on a billboard or shout it from the top of a mountain.
However, I’d suggest that many small acts of love add up to a lot more than one big gesture. It’s the little things, day in and day out, that show your unwavering love and commitment.
So, I’d like to share with you seven love actions to show your spouse:

1. Write a note. Surprise your spouse with a long love letter and put it on their pillow one morning. Or leave sticky notes with short words of encouragement on the bathroom mirror or the kitchen table.

2. Bring flowers. Bringing a bouquet of flowers to your spouse is a great way to show you were thinking of her. Set the flowers in a vase of water on the counter or by the door. This way, they will be there all week long, and every time she passes them, she’ll be reminded of your love.

3. Make the bed. Mornings are constantly a rush to get out the door. But I promise you, the 60 seconds it takes to make the bed is always worth it. When my wife, Susan, comes in at night from a long, hard day to find the bed made, she smiles knowing I made the effort to make her happy in this small way.

4. Cook dinner. There’s nothing like good smells from good food cooking in the kitchen when we get home. So take over one night and make a meal for the whole family. Love your spouse well by trying a new recipe or just sticking with one of their favorites.

5. Plan a creative date. Get creative by planning a simple date that fits your lifestyle. Go for a picnic in the back yard, go to a pizza diner down the street, go for a walk, watch the stars come out at the park or go out for morning coffee. Whatever you do, be intentional in making your spouse feel special on the date.

6. Hold hands. After being married a few years, it’s easy to forget the simple things in your relationship. Holding hands is one of those things. When you’re out to dinner, driving in the car together or just sitting on the couch at home, grab your spouse’s hand.

7. Call and text. Even if daily schedules have you and your spouse in different places, don’t go all day without communicating. Give them a call during your lunch break just to see how they’re doing and to tell them you love them. A quick call or text will reassure them that they are important to you and on your mind.

What are some other love actions you take to love your spouse?

-By Mark Merrill

Prayers For New Week, May God Bless YOU!!!

May God Bless you with Happiness! May God Bless you with Hope to live! May God Bless you with Joy to share! May God Bless you with Live in peace! May God Bless you with Sweet dreams! May God Bless you with Kindness to care! May God Bless you with Beauty and long-life! May God Bless you with family/friends to love you! May God Bless you with a cheerful heart to give! May God Bless you with a Shelter to protect you! May God Bless you with every Good thing in life! 

May God Bless you with Food and Water to fill you! May God Bless you with a Family to be proud of you! May God Bless you with people to share love and charity! May God Bless you with Smiles to cheer you on days you feel alone! May God Bless you with Sunshine to warm your day when the world seems cold! And May God Bless you with Beautiful Bright Stars in the sky to show you the way when it is dark! For God says 

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. ~ God Bless You!

Happy new week from ASB-WORLD

The 10 Foods Every Healthy Kitchen Needs

When it comes to eating healthy, you need to set yourself up for success. A kitchen filled with cookies and chips, for example, won't help you reach for that piece of fruit instead. Be smart by stocking up on healthy items that keep for a while and help you whip up a healthy meal no matter how time-pressed you are. Read on for 10 of our favorite healthy foods every kitchen should have.

Apple Cider Vinegar: While the merits of drinking apple cider vinegar to lose weight may be debatable, what is true is that the unfiltered vinegar can help relieve digestion or congestion-related woes and is a popular ingredient in energy-boosting detoxes. Keep a bottle in your cupboard to whip up tasty, health-boosting recipes like this honey apple cider vinegar dressing.

Baby Spinach: You can toss a handful or two of nutrient-rich leaves into almost any meal, from smoothies to soups to pastas. You won't really notice the taste, but since the leafy green is packed with iron, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin K, and more, your body will thank you.

Chia Seeds: Add a tablespoon of these tiny black seeds to your breakfast smoothie or bowl of oatmeal for an energizing start to your day. When mixed with liquid, the tiny black seeds swell up, which helps you feel fuller longer, as does the fact that chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber and protein.

Fruit: Easy-to-eat fruits make for a convenient snack when you're ravenous and ready to reach for anything. Keep fruits like apples, bananas, pears, and oranges stocked in your kitchen so you can reach for a healthy and portable snack whenever hunger strikes.

Greek Yogurt: Whether you're enjoying it with a few fresh toppings or using it as a cooking substitute to cut calories (try it instead of sour cream, butter, mayonnaise, and more), nonfat or low-fat Greek yogurt is a healthy fridge essential (unless, of course, you are vegan or lactose intolerant).

Lemon: Squeeze it in your water, on top of your salad, or into your tea: having a lemon or two on hand is an easy way to add dimension (as well as detoxifying properties) to your home-cooked meals.

Nuts: While they may be high in calories, a handful of nuts helps keep you full while giving you a much-needed dose of heart-healthy omega-3s. Make sure your nut habit is a healthy one with this chart of nut serving sizes and nutrition.

Protein Powder: If you're trying to lose weight, getting enough protein to build strong muscles should be just as important as the time you spend in the gym. Adding a scoop of protein powder to smoothies, baked goods, and more will help you up your protein intake for the day without over thinking it. Whether you're gluten-free, vegan, or lactose intolerant, here are protein powder picks for every diet.

Quinoa: A healthy diet includes many types of whole grains, but keeping a bag of quinoa in your cupboard is always smart. The versatile grain cooks up quickly for a hot dinner, while leftover quinoa blends well with almost any salad to keep you satisfied during lunch. These quinoa recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner show just how indispensable the grain will be to your healthy-eating routine.

Spices: A well-stocked spice rack can cut your dependence on salt and sugar to flavor your food. Add immune-boosting, blood-sugar-regulating cinnamon to your coffee, for example, or a sprinkle a teaspoon of anti-inflammatory turmeric into your hearty dinners.

Source: shine.yahoo.com

THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Memorise: Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

Read: Ephesians 6:10-13
10 finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Message
When we are told to put on the whole armour of God, one thing becomes clear instantly. This is the fact that there is a God. We cannot be talking of the armour of God if there is no God. Anyone who thinks that there is no God is a fool (Psalm 14:1). You have to pray that God would reveal Himself to you. The Bible in Daniel 11:32b says,

“.....but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

Little wonder, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ in Philippians 3:10 also said:

”That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

These scriptures show that knowing God is a weapon of spiritual warfare! When you know your Maker, your battle is 90% won. From our Bible reading, we also realise that there is the armour of God. This armour is made up of several parts, otherwise we would not be told to put on the whole armour of God. The constituents of this armour are listed for us in Ephesians 6:14-17. The armour of God is not built into us by default as children of God. It is external, and we have to pick it up in order to be able to put it on. The reason many children of God are defeated in the battle of life is because of their failure to fortify themselves with the armour God has made available to them.

From today’s memory verse, it is also clear that there is a devil. The devil is alive and active. In Job 1:7, we read about the instability and unpredictability of his destination. This is one of his wiles. Through this corrupt wisdom, he gets people into trouble. The devil’s attacks are not always direct. They may not come from the direction which you expect. A good example is found in Joshua 7:1&12. Joshua had been victorious all the time; Jericho had just been taken and Joshua was beginning to feel confident. Then the enemy came from behind. He entered one man who stole what God said they should not take. Joshua thought God was still with him so he went against a small town called Ai. The Israelites had to flee from this small town. The enemy had used a new method. It was an indirect attack. Another classical example of an indirect attack of the devil is found in 1 Samuel 18:5-9. David did nothing wrong but the devil used wiles. He got women together and taught them a song: “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousand”. This turned Saul against David. I pray for you that the devil’s wiles against you will be exposed and defeated in Jesus’ Name. However, you must put on the whole armour of God.

Prayer Point: Father, arise and fight on my behalf and on the behalf of my loved ones in Jesus’ Name

By prince Olawale

Some Tips For Preserving Your Kid’s Online Life

While the Internet brings a wealth of information instantly to our fingertips, it also throws our children into an ocean of risk. Too often our kids navigate those waters without a life preserver and become bait for the enemy’s piranha-like feeding frenzy to attack the weak.

Parents today have more than their neighborhoods, schools and kids’ friends to worry about. The enemy is cleverly casting nets online fishing for their souls and God’s men must be aware of where their kids are swimming.

For example, social media has brought the world together, while giving predators tools to connect while disguised in sheep’s clothing. Online video gaming, once a harmless recreation (remember Atari?), now provides realms of obscene and violent behaviors. And with every online search, marketers of all kinds of dangerous material get closer to home.

The lesson from 1 Peter 5:8-9 is as true as it ever was, saying “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

As our kids tune into social media from morning to night on any device, posting, tweeting, instagramming, snap chatting etc., and online gamers disappear from the “real world” to indulge in fantasy worlds, God’s man must be alert, sober minded and resist the enemy.

Here are 3 tips to managing your kids’ online lives:

1. Engage. Your kids need you to “be alert” as “Big Brother” online Get engaged. in their online worlds, whether it’s social media or video games.

Find out what social media they are involved in. Friend them on Facebook, follow their Tweets, become Instagram friends so you can see who they are following and who are following them. And, you can monitor their posts. For the online gamers, spend 30 minutes or so a week to do your own “scouting” of your kid’s “progress” in the game world. 

2.  Enlist Support. We need help. We need other people, including our kids, to watch out for us and who courageously confront us. It’s mission-critical to have additional eyes and ears online, and who will bring issues to the table, help find Biblical answers and share Godly wisdom to sensitive parenting challenges.

Additional practical tips include monitoring their email, download parenting control software to prevent unwanted illicit material from showing up on screen, use privacy settings on your child’s profiles, create safe screen names, keep the computer in open sight, limit data usage on mobile devices, and make sure your kids know what information to keep private i.e. Social security numbers, address, phone numbers and bank, credit card information.

Being of “sober mind” is not just talking about intoxication. It also means to have a  “serious attitude or quality.” Managing your kid’s online life is serious business, not to be taken lightly.

3.  Encourage Communication. God’s man must nurture an environment where openness and honesty are welcomed, for good and bad behavior. It’s best if ease of communication is established in your kid’s early years, but it’s never too late. Talk with your kids about what’s going on online—good or bad. Make your values and beliefs a common topic, and compare them with behavior online.

At my house, our values are (1) love God, and (2) we help people. My kids know this. So it’s easy to ask, “Is what you’re doing online accomplishing either of these values?” If so, that’s great. Kudos if not, then dives deeper into the values and why they are important, and imagine the risks created should those values be removed.

That’s being alert, sober minded and resisting the enemy. If that doesn’t help, try throwing a life preserver over the keyboard.

Source: charismamag.com

 

Stick To Your Own Mirror! Stick To The Word!!

Each day, after I have had my bath, I look into the mirror and after a few touch ups based on what I see in the mirror, I feel good and ready to face the world. Then as I walk down the road, I see many cars and of course, like a typical lady, I see another opportunity to look at myself in the mirrors again.

 I walk past the lines of car stealing glances at myself in the mirrors and by the time I am at the other side of the road, I feel sad, unhappy and fat! The mirrors have shown me a different/different version(s) of me and many times have given me a serious blow in my self-confidence and throughout the day, in a corner of my heart, I don’t feel like the queen I thought I was, I see myself ugly and definitely not queenly.

One day, my spirit spoke to me laughing “why don’t you just stick to the image of what you saw at home and stop looking at other mirrors for affirmation?’
Just then something dropped into my heart, many times we look into God’s word and we remember God’s love, His promises and assurance, and we feel good and ready to tackle the world but throughout the day, we begin to focus on what our circumstances, our friends, the economy say and by the end of the day, we are grumpy, tired and depressed forgetting what His word has said.

We must learn to stick to the Word. The bible calls the ‘word’ a mirror, just like the mirror reflects your physical self, the word reveals the true you: how you are and how you should be. Stick to that mirror, don’t be looking into other mirrors no matter how good or true they look. Its only when we behold and continue to focus on the mirror, we are changed into glory.
2Co 3:18 And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.
So my dear Folks, stick to your own mirror, stick to the word.

By Mo