WHERE IS YOUR SPOUSE?

 The long journey of marriage has made so many husbands/wives to walk alone, think alone, struggle alone, raising children alone, pray alone, and under achieved in life. It is heart aching when we are not emotionally going along with our partners.

For some marriages, their spouses have got lost from their heart right from the first day of their marriage while some, as time goes by. So many couples are living under the same roof, sleeping on the same matrimonial bed, eating from the same pot and dinning on the same table but their minds are far away from each other, there is no trace of emotional connection.
Compiling issues of life, spouse misbehavior, misunderstanding, irregularities, challenges of life, children’s misconduct, selfishness, infidelity, cheating, horrible past are some of the reasons that can make a spouse to get lost from one’s memory.
Also, many people have lost their spouses because of work of the ministry, job, traveling abroad, tourism, recreation, personal interest, self achievement, inconsistency etc.
It is not only when you are outrageously disappointed that your spouse can get lost from your heart, sometimes, you may be communicating well with your spouse, yet, part of you might have forgotten him/her. This is very common in Christian homes.
If you are the type that always swallows your corrective measure in the name of “let me allow peace” it is likely your spouse get lost from your heart because the more you keep quiet to cover his lapses and shortcomings the more you will be burning inside.
When you cannot trace the path of your spouse in your heart, when the glowing love is cold, when your eyes are fill with tears whenever you remember your spouse, when night overshadow your morning and your heart cries aloud, then, you have lost your spouse and you have to trace him/her and find him to the mountain’s height ,or over the stormy sea or at the forefront of life’s battle with the power of forgiveness.
“The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him we have found the Messiah. And he brought him to Jesus…..” John1: 41&42
Where is the place of your spouse in your heart? Forgive and bring him/her back to your heart.
May the God of Heaven refresh your marriage with joy and happiness.

By Ojo

You Can Change Your Destiny

TEXT: 1 CHRONICLES 4:1-10

Key verse: “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested” (1 Chronicles 4:10).

It is remarkable how a little attention to details can go a long way in altering the course of history for an individual. People who have had the good fortune of enjoying this privilege would admit that it involves acting against conventional thoughts and wisdom. It is to be single-minded in the pursuit of this goal, even when it is seemingly unpopular to do so.

It was so with Jabez. He had reason to complain and blame other people for his misfortune. He could have been ranked as probably the worst among Judah’s children. There was a certain foreboding about him. “His mother named him Jabez, saying, because I bare him with sorrow.” Despite the fact that the man’s life was shrouded in sorrow, he did not allow himself to be limited by his circumstances. Jabez took a conscious step to become “more honorable than his brethren.” He achieved this because he turned to God with definite requests - for God’s blessings, prosperity, guidance, protection from evil, and preservation from grief. Seeing his faith, God granted all his desires: God changed the course of his life.

Do not settle for mediocrity in any area of your life. You should not struggle for basic necessities of life. Reject the negative stereotypes that people have associated with you. Do not allow your life to be limited by the negative destiny prescribed by your peculiar history. Once you observe any adverse situation in your life, do not accept that you are destined to live with it. Take the wise step - seek God’s help. Pray to God to change the circumstances, to fulfill His promises in your life and rewrite your history. God will promptly do so.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: There is nothing too great for the Lord to do.

Recipes: MAKE THIS APPLE TART

Tart Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced super-thin, are the perfect foil for sweet brown sugar and cinnamon, especially when set in a buttery pizza-style crust. A liberal scoop of vanilla ice cream, set atop the tart while it’s still warm, never made anyone upset.

Individual Cinnamon-Apple Tarts

Serves 4

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface 

1/2 recipe basic pizza dough, or 1 pound store-bought pizza dough, thawed if frozen
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), room temperature, cut into pieces
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 plus 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and very thinly sliced
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Ice cream (optional), for serving

Directions
1. On a floured work surface, roll dough to a 6-by-14-inch rectangle. Dot upper two-thirds of dough with butter and fold dough in thirds, like a letter, starting with the unbuttered portion. Roll dough to a 6-by-14-inch rectangle; refrigerate on a baking sheet until firm, 1 hour (or up to 1 day). Cut dough crosswise into 4 equal rectangles. Place dough on sheet lined with parchment. 

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, gently toss together lemon juice, flour, brown sugar, salt, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and apples. Leaving a 1/2-inch border, arrange apples over dough, overlapping slightly.

3. In a small bowl, combine egg yolk with 1 teaspoon water. In another small bowl, combine granulated sugar and 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon. Brush edges of dough with egg wash and sprinkle them with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Bake until crust is golden brown and apples are soft, 30 to 35 minutes. Serve warm, topped with ice cream if desired.

by yahoo.com

THE BORDER CONTROL....

They are there for a reason.

Most of us shudder at sight of them, depending on where we live and go, and what we are doing there.

They are friends with no one.

Even their family members are subjected to the same rigorous questioning as others.

They are trained to be without any faults.

They ask you the same question in seven different ways.

To those who are naive or who have hidden intentions, they are caught out.....

A typical UK BORDER CONTROL will receive thousands of overseas visitors daily.

When you watch theTV series, you will be shocked to discover that some people have no idea where they are going or how to get there.

Some did not pay their flight ticket!!! Someone else who has a hideous business in the Uk had paid for them to come and deliver criminal goods......and sometimes, the carrier is oblivious to the risks....... so we see, until they are caught.

To me , an observer, it sounds dumb.

You leave your home, country and family, pack your belongings and you don't know where you are going. The journey of your life is based on someone else's plans ans expectations.

You are exposed to risks without grasping the full details.

You will get caught by the BORDER CONTROL. ....and once caught, IGNORANCE has now become a punishable offence.

Many of us can relate with this.....if you have ever been to a visa interview, you will see that the team there are happy to turn you back, until you give them a good reason to let you through.

Hosea 4:4-10 MSG

“But don’t look for someone to blame. No finger pointing! You, priest, are the one in the dock. You stumble around in broad daylight, And then the prophets take over and stumble all night. Your mother is as bad as you. My people are ruined because they don’t know what’s right or true. Because you’ve turned your back on knowledge, I’ve turned my back on you priests. Because you refuse to recognize the revelation of God, I’m no longer recognizing your children.

THERE ARE SPIRITUAL BORDER CONTROLS!!!!!!

People who don't know where they are going and why they are going there don't get through! !!!!

Woman, why are you married to your husband?

What's your assignment in that marriage?

The reason you are being treated like a piece of necessity may just be because your role is not defined or not appreciated.

Until you start to define your purpose of visit, the border control team has a right to keep denying access to your joy.

Mother, why is that child's destiny tied to you?

Abuse is inevitable when the real useful purpose is unknown?

Your boss treats you like less than you are worth. Have you overstayed your purpose but because you have no clue about the next step, you chose to stay where you are comfortable?

Spiritual border controls have one purpose.......TO DENY YOU ACCESS TO THAT WHICH SHOULD BE YOURS IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU CARRY, WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND HOW TO GET THERE......

They don't listen to stories.

They accept only proven truths....THE WORD....

As long as you don't have the right reasons for coming, they will keep turning you back...

Why are you going out this week?

Have you got the facts ready?

Did God send you ? Or are you going by yourself?

Or, someone else, who seem to see your spiritual nativity and ignorance has even capitalised on it and sent you on assignments that will jeopardize your God given destiny? Yet, because they look spiritual or they bamboozled you, you have succumbed....

You can still be free....

Life does not give you results for guesswork.

Get the facts right in the word...

Every border control has their own language and requirement.

Don't let life frustrate you with repeated rejections and refusal.
Someone asks, but I am born again....am I still subject to it....?
The answer is YES...UNTIL A SON COMES TO A PLACE OF KNOWLEDGE, HIS RIGHTS REMAIN NO DIFFERENT FROM A SLAVE....If you are born again in your declaration but you can't figure out what is yours, you may still suffer refusal like a citizen travelling without his passport.

Get the information right.....the gates will open wide without struggle, for the man who has the right key...

Until then, you are subject to BORDER CONTROL. ....and they only have one aim...FRUSTRATING THE IGNORANT. 

By sis Omobola

The Divine Positioning

Esther was an orphan who was adopted by her Uncle, Mordecai. There was a conspiracy by Haman, one of the Prominent and influential princes under the reign of king Ahasuerus, to wipe out all the Jews, because Mordecai would not bow down to him (Esther 3:6).

Haman was going to succeed in the plot because he already got an approval from the King to carry out his wicked act (Esther 3:9-11).

The only lifeline that was available for the Jews to escape from the plot of Haman was for Esther to risk her life, by volunteering to appear before the king, contrary to the law of the land, all in a bid to save her people from destruction.

Esther 4:15 “Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
VS 16 Go gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish I perish” (KJV)

Lessons:
The Lord must have positioned Esther in the palace for the purpose of delivering His people from the hands of their enemies (Haman in this case). Queen Esther was willing to lay down her life as she knew the consequences of appearing before the king without an invitation, yet, she took the risk.

How much sacrifice have we made or can we make for the salvation of the souls of our parents, siblings, friends and neighbours?
Even though Esther was an Orphan, she realised there was something she could offer, and that is to stand the gap on behalf of her people.

Esther, though a Queen, was humble enough to listen to the counsel of her Uncle, Mordecai.
How many times have we despised the counsel of our parents or guardian because they are not as educated as we are? Do you look down on your husband because you earn more than him or you have a higher educational degree than he does?

The bible says:
Pr 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall”.

So many have lost their marriages and some their honour before their husband, on account of Pride.
Can God depend on you to deliver your family from destruction? How about your co-worker that does not have a relationship with Christ?

What are the limitations around you?
Is the devil telling you it is not possible?
Have you told yourself you cannot do it?

All these are lies of the enemy to keep you under. Overcome your fears and take the bold step that God has been longing for you to take today.

You are created to affect your generation positively, you have no business been on the floor feeling defeated and looking for pity party. God has deposited so much in you to fulfill destiny, not even the devil can contend with that, arise sisters because you can!

 

How To Control Your Anger

There’s one issue that doesn’t get much air time, but every man struggles with to varying degrees. And, every many probably deals with it differently. Once it’s unleashed, chaos reigns. The enemy has fire to fuel, and he applies liberally. Relationships get torn while sin is born.

Anger.

Some men rage, others suppress. Some shout, others pout. Some get aggressive, others passive aggressive. Some men throw a fit; others get physically fit. Some men ignore it; others embrace it. But one thing is for sure, if you don’t control anger, anger will control you. It’s madness on the march, trampling anything in its path.

We would all agree that getting angry rarely solves anything. But Jesus explains the seriousness of it in Matthew 5:21. From the Message translation, check this out:

“You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder.

Anger Fact: it seldom exists at the level at which you finally express or see it. It’s deeper. God knows this and He revealed where anger is birthed—in the heart and mind.

In Genesis 4:3-12, the Bible gives a case study on anger and its consequences. God was not pleased with Cain’s offering and it ticked Cain off. Why? Because Cain’s offering did not come from the heart, he was just going through the motions. Cain wasn’t mad at God. He was mad at himself and jealous of his brother. Instead of taking his problem to God and being honest with himself, he loosed his anger and committed murder.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it” (Gen. 4:6-7).

In this passage, God says don’t let anger master you. Do the right thing. If you don’t—and here’s the BIG WARNING—Satan capitalizes on the opportunity. It’s much easier to lie to an angry man (and get him to do something he’ll regret) than a man who has his emotions under control.

God says to Cain and to every man who will listen: “You must master your emotions.” Easier said than done! But the key is getting right with God.

To get a grip on anger, first recognize there are, and will always be a stimulus, a trigger and fuse. Then, there’s a reaction; that’s the jumping off point, followed by a consequence.

Fortunately, the Bible gives the math for dealing with anger: Quick + Slow + Slow

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen,slow to speak and slow to become angry.” -- James 1:19

How to Diffuse Emotional Bombs

Conflict is inevitable; destruction is optional. You’re not going to stop triggers that fuse bombs, but you don’t have to light them. The goal is to stop reacting, start responding. When you feel the fire burning and the pot is about to boil over, follow these steps:

1.  Press “PAUSE.” Don’t escalate or retaliate. Fight for a pause. Agree to take a few minutes before responding. If you don’t, the problem will get magnified. So between the stimulus and your response, distract yourself. Take out the trash. Do the dishes. Take a deep breath. In fact, take 10 of them. Count to 10 slowly. Settle down. When madness is on the march, you can slow that train down if you deal with it early, honestly and humbly.

2.  Talk and Walk. Just pray and say James 1:19. Saying scripture is praying. Ask God for help, being honest with your feelings of frustration and weakness. Confession is a sign of strength! Walk in the Spirit, by inviting the Holy Spirit for wisdom and to guide your steps in the coming conversation. Think of God as your heavenly father who is eager to give His advice, and send help. You have to fight fire with fire, and the Holy Spirit is a holy fire.

3.  Turn and Take. Turn inward and take ownership of your part in the conflict. Understand God’s desire in moments of disagreement. His desire is for us to seek and own the truth about ourselves. Are you willing to look at you, unlike Cain? What’s your part? When we own it, we diffuse it. The quickest way to douse the flame is to take responsibility for yourself and your own actions.

4.  Discover the Driver. In the process, between stimulus and response, you will discover something—the problem doesn’t exist at the level you see it. It’s just coming out as anger. The real issue, the deep-down driver is probably related to pride. If you can put a lid on your pride, honestly ask God for His presence, and humbly submit to His Spirit then you will find a desire to please God, not yourself. Remember to operate from a place filled with grace and truth. Then you can speak and respond to the situation.

5.  Resolve to Resolve. Now you’re ready. But your intent must be to seek understanding, not squash it. Be quick to listen, not speak. Seek to please God instead of winning the fight. Resolve to resolve. Making peace may be easier than you think, and that’s what will please God.

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Eph. 4:25-27).

God has a purpose in disagreement—to discover the real truth driving the emotion. Things, circumstances and other people may trigger anger, but they are not driving it..

By Kenny Luck

THE CHALLENGE

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Philippians 1:12

As children of God, we all face trials from time to time. These trials come not to destroy us but to challenge and build our faith.

When we face our trials with the strength of the Lord, and with the assurance that they will ultimately turn out for our good, we will always triumph over them.

In 2 Corinthians 1:8, we read that the trials the Apostle Paul faced were so horrendous that he sometimes desired to depart this life and be with the Lord.

But Paul learned to live above his circumstances, and overcame all his challenges. And you too can do the same.

Here are 3 lessons we can learn from him:

• Focus on God and not the problem. As you deal with life's trials keep the eyes of your heart focused on Jesus Christ.

He has the sovereign ability to handle whatever you are facing. When you relinquish control to God, He is free to work in a miraculous way.

• Focus on the will of God and not on the opinions of men. Seeking the counsel of others always is a wise idea, and the Bible supports this.

However, be sure what your friends tell you align with God's Word, which is your ultimate authority. Also make sure that you spend time alone with God in prayer.

• Focus on positive results and not personal pain. No one enjoys hardship.

However, when trials come ask the Lord, to show you what He wants you to learn from the situation, and how you can apply those lessons to your life.

Paul lived above his circumstances because his focus was set on the Saviour and not on the trial. As a result, he gained a tremendous victory.

Prayer: Father, give me the strength to focus on Jesus so that I may live above the difficulties and challenges of life.

Scriptural Reading: Philippians 1:12-14