COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED

My daughter is very funny. Some time back I picked her up from school and when we got home, I had to start cooking from scratch. I thought I would be quick and decided to boil some rice which should be ready, give or take, in 30 minutes. 10 minutes after the rice was placed on the cooker, she comes to the kitchen and asks “Mummy, is it ready yet?” (Need I remind you that that’s her favourite sentence? *smh*) I said “No darling, give it a few more minutes” (Oops, big mistake!)

Few minutes later – “Mummy is it ready yet?”

Exasperated I said “It will be in 20 minutes”

“20 minutes?” She exclaimed, “Oh God, I have not even eaten anything today!”

That just got me laughing! How could she say she had not had ANYTHING to eat? What happened to the cereal she had before going to school? What happened to the lunch she took to school? The snacks, fruit and juice? I had opened her lunch box and it was empty. And I remembered asking her how lunch was and she said it was fine. You know what? The hunger was affecting her thinking and making her has ‘selective’ memory. As far as she was concerned, she was hungry, it was taking too long and that meant she had eaten nothing at all that day. She totally disregarded her earlier meals as she got impatient for the next one!

We might dismiss this story and say “Oh but she’s just a child. Children act that way”. And yes, you are absolutely correct! Only children would think that way. So why some of us are are still children in our thinking? Why are we quick to forget the good we have enjoyed from God, the past blessings just because the expected ones are yet to manifest? Ah! Little wonder the Psalmist had to have a ‘pep’ talk with himself, reminding himself to remember all what God has done for him

Psalms 103: 1-5 (New Living Translation)
1 Let all that I am praise the LORD;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the LORD;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

The Psalmist went on and on in the entire chapter reminding himself of God’s goodness, stating clearly all that He has done and thanking Him. The power in thanksgiving cannot be over-emphasised. Showing God how grateful you are for what you have and not forgetting what He has done is a sure way of stroking God’s ‘ego’ and releasing His blessings upon you! It is written clearly in His word!

Psalm 67: 5-7 (New Living Translation)
5 May the nations praise you, O God.
Yes, may all the nations praise You.
6 Then the earth will yield its harvests,
and God, our God, will richly bless us.
7 Yes, God will bless us,
and people all over the world will fear him.

 
 Can we have a little exercise this morning? What is that one thing you are so desperately in dire need of? Is it a job? Then thank Him this morning that you are employable! Do you need a new car? Then thank Him that at least you have an old one, or you can drive! Do you desire children? How about thanking Him for giving you a husband/wife in the first place!

There is an adage which says, Only if you have a head will you desire to put a cap on it! Gratitude to God brings altitude in life.

The hymnist wrote:
“Count your many blessings, name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done”

When I count my blessings, I am amazed!!!

Go on Friends, count your blessings. Are you amazed yet?

-By sis Deby

UK Queen Elizabeth II Down to Her Last Million Due to Overspending

Perhaps Queen Elizabeth II could learn something from her thrifty granddaughter-in-law Kate Middleton.. The 87-year-old monarch has been overspending the royal family's famous fortune, according to a report published by the Commons Public Accounts Committee on Monday, Jan. 27.
Following her courtiers' advice, Her Majesty the Queen's reserve fund has fallen from £35 million ($58 million) in 2001 to just £1 million ($1.6 million) in 2014. The report states the royal family is "spending above their means and dipping into the reserves...the balance now stands at an all-time low."


The report also reveals that a number of palaces are in "dangerous or deteriorating" conditions. Forty percent of them, in fact, are "below acceptable standards." It's not exactly new information, as Queen Elizabeth II knows that there's an $82 million backlog in repairs due to tightened government funding.
Taxpayers fund the royal palaces in Britain, comprised of more than 300 buildings. In 2013, the public spent about £31 million ($51 million) renovating and operating the facilities. The report urged the treasury to "get a grip" and help the royal family to prevent "further damage and deterioration."

According to the report, royal staff members have been forced to catch rain in buckets to protect art and antiquities in some locations. Queen Elizabeth II's "antiquated" boilers are more than 60 years old.
"The Queen has not been served well by the Household and by the Treasury," said Margaret Hodge, the labor chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. "We got the impression that they just haven't tried to make greater savings. Here we are, we're all in it together, but they are failing to seek better value for the Queen. They are dipping into their reserves in a way that just isn't sensible."
"If you look at the Tower of London and its visitor numbers it makes you think that there's potential there. Have they done their dankest to maximize value for money?" Hodge wondered.
The royal household has pledged to introduce a 10-year maintenance plan to resolve the backlog. It has also pledged to increase the size of its reserve fund. Married to Prince Philip since 1947, Queen Elizabeth II has four children and eight grandchildren including Prince William and Prince Harry.

Source: uk.eonline.com

Ten Foods That Will Help Your Diet

Shedding pounds can be no fun at all if your diet leaves you feeling hungry all the time. Make sure you add in these ten foods to your diet, to help you stay fuller and feeling satiated longer.

Nuts. Although nuts like pistachios, almonds, and cashews have a high level of fat content, eating them in moderation can make you feel like you just ate a hearty meal. The good fats and protein they contain help your body feel more satisfied with your snack, and they also pack in tons of fiber and antioxidants.

Eggs. These are another good-in-moderation food. Studies have shown that people who eat a breakfast that includes eggs tend to eat fewer calories throughout the day. Just make sure you stick to a healthy cooking method, like hard-boiling or poaching instead of frying.

Beans. These versatile legumes contain two types of fiber – soluble and insoluble – as well as a significant amount of protein. This combination can help fill you up while simultaneously lowering your cholesterol.

Salad. If you start your meal with a salad, you’re likely to eat 12% fewer calories during your meal than if you dive right into your main dish. Why? The water and fiber content of the veggies help fill you up, and you feel like you’ve gotten to eat extra.

Soup. Similar to the salad effect, starting your lunch or dinner with a bowl of a broth-based soup (extra credit if it contains lots of veggies) can help fill you up with a low-calories extra course, keeping you from going back for seconds.

Extra veggies. Sneak in some extra servings of high-fiber, low-calorie vegetables by mixing them into your meal. Whether you’re having a pasta dish, stir-fry, or even pizza, loading on additional vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, shredded carrots, and spinach can give your food some extra bulk that will make it more satisfying.

 
Whole grains. An oatmeal breakfast or a dinner that includes a whole grain like quinoa will make you feel way fuller than if you stuck to simple carbohydrates. Because fiber takes your body a long time to digest, whole grains rich in fiber will keep you feeling full for hours after your meal.

Fish. A study published in nature   found that healthy individuals who ate fish for lunch tended to feel fuller later in the day, and they ate fewer calories at dinner than study participants who ate beef during the day.

Potatoes.  It sounds counterintuitive, since potatoes are high in simple carbohydrates, but a landmark study on satiety actually found that boiled potatoes ranked the highest in terms of satiety out of the 38 foods studied. If you want the benefits of satiety in a slightly healthier form, try sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes.

Apples and Oranges. The same study found that out of all of the fruity snacks you could possibly be eating, apples and oranges are the most likely to make you feel full for an extended period of time. So if you need a sweet pick me up between meals, an apple or an orange is your best bet.

Source:  daily health.com

Born Without Arms 10 Year Old Boy Play Trumpet, What Are Your Excuses?(Video)

Born without arms, ten-year-old Jahmir Wallace has made his dreams of playing the trumpet come true with help from a local music store and supportive administrators.
Jahmir hasn’t let his disability stop him from learning to play the trumpet – and being very good at it.
He uses his feet to play the trumpet – and his talent will blow you away. See the video below

Source:viralvideobox.com

OUR WEAPON AGAINST FEAR

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy t:7

Fis the enemy of faith. Fear is bondage. Satan wants us to live r in bondage to the past and even the future, but God wants us to live in the freedom of His love and power in the present. As Paul wrote, "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father— (Romans 8:i).

In order to be the leads God calls us to be, we must conquer our fear and put it to death. This is-a.spi ritual battle, and it can only be won with spiritual weapons. We must replace our fear with the peace that surpasses understanding. As Jesus told !is followers, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have pe-ace... In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the-w.orld" (John 16:33).

As the apostle Paul told the persecuted Christians in Rome, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (Roman6:2o). The God of peace is our conquering King; the peace of God is sour weapon against fear and Satan. Before going to the cross, Jesus told His disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27). Fear is a natural response to obstacles, adversity and failure, but peace is the supernatural response that God gives us by His grace. Just as Jesus had authority over the wind and waves, He has authority over the storms in our lives.

He has authority over our doubts, fears and shame. Doubts, fear and shame are the weapons of Satan, but Jesus stands against Satan's fury and says with authority, "Peace, be still."

Prayer:
Lord, I appropriate the peace that you have already given to me today.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-7

Recipe for Russian salad

This is the classic recipe of Russian salad. The good thing about this salad is that the ingredients are of your choice. If you’re a vegetarian, you could not include the ham in your recipe, or if you don’t eat any of the ingredients, you might add something you’d like instead of it. This is a healthy recipe because almost all of the ingredients are vegetables. And, of course, very tasty.

 INGREDIENTS

300 g (10.58oz) potatoes
300 g (10.58oz) carrots
300 g (10.58oz) pickles
150 g (5.29oz) Canned peas
200g (8.81oz) yellow cheese
200g (8.81oz) ham
1 jar of mayonnaise
some salt, pepper

PREPARATION

1. First, boil the carrots and potatoes in a pot filled with water. When they’re done, pour the water from the pot and let them cool.

2. Start chopping the pickles, cheese and ham into small cubes. When cooled, also chop the potatoes and the carrots.

3. Put all of the ingredients in a large bowl, pour the mayonnaise over and mix them all together. Add some salt and pepper.

4. To serve, you might put the salad in a deep dish, or you might use small coffee cups to shape them for better aesthetics. You could use some beans or olives to decorate, or just put a small piece of parsley on the top. The salad is ready for eating.

-By greedychef.com

PRETENTION

 In perils among false brethren, 2 Corinthians 11:26 The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines hypocrisy as "a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not, especially the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion". So a hypocrite is someone who pretends to be something he is not. There are people today who do the same thing with the Christian faith. They pretend to be Christians but they are not. So how do we know whether someone is a Christian?

 "It comes down to what they believe," one might say. There is truth to that, but that is not all there is to it. You can believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He is the only way to God, and that He is coming back again and still not necessarily be a Christian. Now, if you are a Christian, you will believe what I just stated. But just because you believe that, in andaitself, doesn't necessarily make you a Christian. We may say; "Well, a Christian is judged by the way he or she behaves"- but that is not necessarily true. You read your Bible, pray every day, attend church every day of the week, and even be baptized by immersion. All these will not necessarily make, a Christian. Those things should be a part of your life if you are a Christian.

But those things, in and of themselves, don't make you a Christian. It is not enough to know about the truth. You also need to act on it. You have to live by the truth. The evidence of your faith is your works. So if you don't act on the truth, you have not believed the truth. A Christian is one who knows the truth, believes the truth, and lives by the truth. What makes you a Christian?

Prayer: Lord, give me a genuine heart.
Scriptural Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:22-29