THE WILDERNESS WILL BURST INTO BLOOM

Mark 4:26-29, "This is what the Kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.
All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."

Many of us are keenly aware that we have endured the plowing, preparation, cultivation, and planting with seeds from the Heavenly granary. Some have Divine seeds within their hearts they have nurtured for years, not knowing when their yield will come to fruition.
What farmer would plant, without fully intending to see a mature crop as the fruit of his labor? The planter and the waterer can rejoice and anticipate the gathering, as in Psalms 126:6, "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." Our great expectation is securely founded upon the promises of God. After all, the Scriptures proclaim God DOES make things grow, not God might make things grow.

Soaking seeds ends dormancy, stirring up the life process hidden beneath their protective covering. Seeds can remain in a granary for years, preserved in their dormancy, but they're useless there. We know a seed must fall to the ground and die. Then, with proper care, and soaking/watering, dormancy ends and the anticipated crop will spring forth. In other words, a seed becomes fruitful by the giving up of self, like Christ.

SOAKING THE SEEDS

Do we soak in Living Water? We must return to our Provider daily, just as the manna was provided to the Israelites in their wilderness experience--daily. Yesterday's manna will not do.

Do we allow God's presence to work in us for His will and His good purposes, creating in us the fruit of the spirit?

Do we nurture Christ, the seed within us, realizing that as we are transformed into His image, and as the seed reaches maturity, we are the will of God "on earth as it is in Heaven?"

Or, does our flesh yet willfully contend for our own harvest?

Seeds soaked in hot water germinate very quickly. After soaking in hot water, the sprouting and growth phase will accelerate. There can be a "suddenly" resulting from our yielding, to the ways of the Harvester. The more we yield--the more we will yield (produce).

And may we remember that purification often takes place in the desert where it seems dry and desolate. But, in truth, God is always "reigning" even in the desert where the Spirit may have led us. Rejoice, for "the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will burst into bloom." Isaiah 35:1

But as we go on our way, seeds can be choked by life's worries, riches, and pleasures, and they will not mature without soaking in the Living Water (Luke 8:14). Jesus is our Master Gardener and, as we see in Isaiah 52:15, "...He purposes to sprinkle many nations...." which is often compared to rain or water.

WE NEED TO BE ASKINS OURSELVES:

"Do I really want growth?
Have I become dormant in the process of seeking my own comfort?
Do I remain inert, safe within my shell, because I know that growth most often creates tension?"

Remember, the enemy's purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. Some seeds may be sluggish, complacent, or inactive, indicative of a slow death. The devil is coy and won't just kill the seeds instantly. Rather, he takes years deviously trying to mutate seeds of the righteous. However, the Good News promises Jesus has come to give life abundantly!

THE FIELDS ARE RIPE

The Heavenliest is seeded with intercession. The fields are ripe and harvest time is near. Are you parched? Do you feel dormant? The rain is coming--soak the seeds!

Turn away from anything that would take preeminence over your time with the Master Gardener. Allow Him to uproot anything in your garden that hinders growth. Jesus provides water from His pierced side and again, as He promised, "You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."

Living Water, "reign" down on us!

Our Father promises in Revelation 21:6, "I will give to the thirsty the springs of the Water of Life--as a gift!" He says only to whose who are thirsty will He give that gift. God never forces His Living Water on anyone. But, He does promise to fill those who are thirsty (Matthew 5:6).

-By Albert Finch

Let Others See Your New Life

TEXT: JOHN 9:8-12

Key verse: “The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?” (John 9:8).

There are contrasts in life that do not require any expertise to acknowledge. Light and darkness, white and black, hot and cold cannot be mistaken one for the other. The difference is always clear.

The blind man in our text today has just received his sight. The first few people that saw this change were his neighbours. Some affirmed that he was the one, while others thought it was somebody else that looked like him. He, however, cleared their doubts when he confirmed, “...I am he.” He did not stop there; he went further to share the testimony of how he received his sight.

Man in his sinful state is blind spiritually. Repentance and faith in Christ’s atoning blood bring salvation and recovery of spiritual sight. Genuine salvation will however bring clear transformation of life and character. When our conversion is genuine, our neighbours, like the blind man’s, will be the first to acknowledge it. The light of salvation in our lives will be so radiant that our families, friends, colleagues and acquaintances will know it. This is where many today miss the mark. They lay claim to salvation and yet live carefree lives. No newness whatsoever is seen in their lives. Old things still remain.

Resolutions made at the end of every year not to do evil are only attempts to be reformed, not repent. As this blind man testified to how he received his sight, so must we testify of how our spiritual eyes were opened and we were saved. We may not fully understand the mystery of salvation, but we must tell it all the same, in simple language to all men.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: True salvation is not only clear but also ever present.

The African Redeemed Church of God preaches the gospel in US

For centuries, European and American missionaries have gone to Africa to spread the word of Christ. That trend is now working in reverse, with a Nigerian minister in Texas who plans to build churches as numerous as Starbucks coffee shops.

Drive an hour north-east of Dallas, and you will find yourself staring off into a barren, flat horizon. One out-of-place building rises above the landscape: a 10,000-seat auditorium.

It is the centrepiece for the Redeemed Christian Church of God in North America, a Pentecostal movement that started in Nigeria in 1952.

It is one of Africa's largest and most influential Christian movements, claiming more than five million followers worldwide, mostly in Nigeria.

Pastor James Fadele, who runs the Church in North America, said God told the Church's leader Enoch Adeboye that its North American headquarters would be founded near Dallas - but not where, and not when.

Then, Fadele said, a white man in Texas had a vision.

"God told him, 'The land doesn't belong to you, it belongs to a group of church people,'" Fadele said. "'When you meet them, I will let you know who they are.'"

Fadele, a short man with a booming voice, said a few Redeemed Church members were eating at a local restaurant when they were approached by the white man.

The man told them God had asked him to buy a patch of land, but that the Church was the owner.

"They accepted it, they paid the check, and the rest, as they say, is history," said Fadele with a laugh.

That divine spot is Floyd, Texas, an unincorporated community with a population of 220. Church leaders have grand plans for the property, which now spans 700 acres (283ha): a university, sports complex, even a golf course.

Fadele radiates with excitement describing his vision for future events at the auditorium: "Crazy people for Jesus, people who are in love with Jesus, shouting 'hallelujah', praising Jesus, having prayer vigils, having fun, giving each other high-fives."

Fadele's goal is to establish a church within every 10 miles (16km) in North America, to take as many people as possible to heaven.

"Because heaven is real, God is real," he said. "And that is why we want to plant churches like Starbucks."

At a recent Sunday morning service at a parish in Melrose, Massachusetts, just north of Boston, about 120 people were gathered, larger than the average Redeemed Church congregation. Once parishes start to gain much size, they quickly split to create more branches - the church's growth strategy.

Redeemed leaders say there are 720 churches in North America, nearly double from four years ago, and they claim 15,000 members in the US.

Ruth Marshall with the University of Toronto, who studies Christian movements in Africa and has studied the Redeemed Church, said its aggressive plans stem from its leader and guiding force, Enoch Adeboye in Nigeria.

"He really wants to be an important global player," said Marshall. "One could say that he's almost obsessed with this logic of church planting because for him it's an index of success. And also, prosaically, because the more parishes there are, the wealthier the central organisation."

Each pastor, she said, must send 20% of tithes, offerings and other funds to the headquarters in Nigeria.

The US - where Pentecostalism began - holds special appeal to Church leaders who believe in a manifest Christian destiny from Africa.

At the church service in Melrose, their passion for their mission was clear. People were dancing in the aisles, hugging, and breaking into conga lines. The public address system was cranked way up. People sang with arms outstretched and eyes tightly shut. The place was rocking.

These are Pentecostal Christians who believe strongly in faith healing and miracles and speak in tongues to connect with the Holy Spirit. There were young and old in attendance. Children were downstairs in their own service and toddlers were running around the lobby.

Nearly all Redeemed Church members in Massachusetts, as well as in most North American locations, are Nigerian or African immigrants. For the church to grow, they'll need a lot more non-Africans. That's proven challenging.

Marshall of the University of Toronto said the children of African-immigrant churchgoers are less interested in attending the Redeemed Church, preferring congregations more relevant to their lives.

Back in Floyd, Texas, Pastor James Fadele is not discouraged. He says it will take some time, but they will connect with the greater community, perhaps by renting out the huge auditorium for weddings and rodeos.

He said when people learn they are genuine, they'll join his church.

"I'm not saying all the churches in America are fake," he said. "But... we have come all the way from Africa. We are engaging the people to show them the true Gospel, making sure that people are being saved and people are making it to heaven." 

Source: bbc.co.uk 

Nick Vujicic: The Inspirational speaker celebrate son's first birthday, photos

What an amazing day celebrating our son's first birthday!!!! He didn't really like getting his hands dirty in his "smash cake". So Daddy gave him a hand. -HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIYOSHI- WE LOVE YOU!

 God is great and dreams do come true if you believes in God and hard working. Happy birthday boy 

Kiyoshi  from us ASB-World. 

See photos below:

Photos from Nick facebook like page.

Happy VAL: Love this pic and the message

John 3:16

For God so loVed the world 
       That He gAve
             His onLy 
            BegottEn 
                 SoN,
                      That whoever 
        Believes  In Him 
          Should Not perish,
        But have Everlasting life.

Jesus is the only begotten son and He died  for our sins, believe in Him before it is to late, He loves you that why He died for YOU!

Happy valentine every one, enjoy :)

- Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another.

Thomas Moore

- A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.

Frank Morgan

- All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

Charles M. Schulz

- If you have only one smile in you give it to the peopleyou love.

Maya Angelou

- Love will find a way through paths where wolves fear to prey.

Lord Byron

 See video below:

HAPPY VALENTINE, FROM US ASB-WORLD DO ENJOY YOUR DAY

NB!! AIDS AND STD ARE REAL :(

Singles:10 Tips for Surviving Valentine's Day

For many singles, Valentine’s Day can be the loneliest and most difficult days of the year.Here are 10 tips that you as a single person can use to survive Valentine's Day:

1. Invite some of your single friends over. Make it special. Have them each bring a dish to share and a small gift to exchange. Give each guest a single rose.

2. If you have children or grandchildren, order pizza and plan a special game or movie night.

3. You might know someone that's in need—perhaps an elderly person that's home alone. Reach out to them. Bring a meal and spend some time with them.

4. You may know a couple that has small children. Offer to babysit so that they can have a night out.

5. There are often dinners, dances and other events planned for singles on Valentine's Day. Check your local paper or nearby churches for happenings in your town. Don't stay home. Go and have a good time.

6. Do something nice for yourself. Buy yourself flowers or that item that you have had your eye on at the mall. Or schedule a little pampering, like a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure.

7. If you can't afford to pamper yourself, do it at home. Listen to some great music, take a bubble bath, light candles, drink tea, eat chocolate and curl up with a good book or watch a movie. Or, if you're really feeling ready and adventurous, this might be the day to create your profile and sign yourself up for a reputable dating website.

8. Plan something you would like to do later in the year, like a weekend getaway with a friend, that new hiking trail you've wanted to try, a dance or cooking class, etc. Give yourself something you can look forward to.

9. Call your parents, siblings or other close family members. Tell them how much you love and appreciate them. Relationships don’t always last. Family is forever.

10. Count all your blessings and actually write them down. When you see all the good that's going on in your life, you won't feel so deprived on Valentine's Day. Then get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow will be here before you know it.

Source: ConnieWetzell