One Thing the Holy Spirit Will Not Do

The Bible repeatedly tells us that God is our helper. The question is, do we really trust God to help us? It's easy to respond right away that we trust Him, but when it comes to practically applying this truth to our everyday life—leaning on the Holy Spirit to help us in every area of our lives—we often struggle to do it.

As born-again believers in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit—God's Spirit—lives in our spirit. In John 16:7, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit is our "Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby)" and that He wants "to be in close fellowship" with us (AMPC).

It's so important for us to know that we can have a close, intimate relationship with the Holy Spirt, that He will communicate with us. I went to church for many years and had no idea that I could overcome my problems and live with real peace and joy because the Holy Spirit lived in my spirit. It was life-changing for me when I got the revelation that He wanted to lead me in God's will for my life and He would enable me to do everything I needed to do.

The truth is if we really believe God is our helper and He's willing to help us no matter what situation we're in, then we have no reason to worry or get overwhelmed. 

I'll let you in on another secret: You need to ask God for help because the Holy Spirit is not the type to barge into your life and take over.

Have you ever had someone try to push their opinions or their agenda on you? They may or may not know what they're talking about, and they may not even be really interested in helping you do what needs to be done, but they sure have a lot to say about what you're doing wrong!

That's not what the Holy Spirit does.

The Holy Spirit knows the answer to every problem, and He will even help you through each one. But He won't give you His advice unless you ask for it. In other words, the humble get the help.

Every Problem Matters to God

Jesus said in John 15:5 (NIV), "Apart from me you can do nothing." And that's so true. But did you know He's not holding out on you? God actually likes it when we ask for His help. And God not only wants to help us with our big problems, He also wants to help us with the little things in life. That's wonderful news because sometimes we allow the little things to get us frustrated and upset. One of the best ways to go through the day is to pray often, "Help me, Lord. Help me. Help me!"

In the Psalms, we frequently see King David going to God for help. For example, Psalm 40:13 (MEV) says, "Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me!"

Notice that David was not only bold enough to ask God for help, but he was also confident that God would answer his prayers. We can learn from that too.

In Psalm 43:5, David says, "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I will yet give Him thanks, the salvation of my countenance and my God" (MEV).

You and I have so many opportunities to feel sad or discouraged and have a bad attitude, but God wants us to stay strong in Him, like David did. Those who do will eventually come out on top, because there's no way the enemy can hold you back if you will trust God and keep your hope in Him.

Learn How to Trust Your Helper

It's comforting to know God will help you get through the hard times of life. His grace and strength will sustain you while you're waiting for your breakthrough. Isaiah 41:10 says He will keep you strong and retain you with His victorious hand of rightness and justice (AMPC).

Even when you're tempted to think, It's not going to do me any good to pray after the way I've acted, don't let that stop you from asking for God's help. Because when you go to the Father in prayer, you don't go in your name—you go in the name of Jesus.

Hebrews 4:16 (MEV) says "Let us then come with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." And Psalm 23:3 (AMPC) says, "He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him―not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake" (emphasis mine).

When you're hurting, in trouble, or waiting for answers in your life, you need to believe that your Helper, the Holy Spirit is with you and He wants to help you. Stay in close fellowship with Him and ask Him for the help you need.

No matter what the circumstances may look like, believe He's working on your behalf. He is your Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby—He's everything you need—and He's just waiting for you to ask.

Joyce Meyer 

Prayer for new week

God has intention for your pain, a motive for your struggle and a reward for your faithfulness. Don't give up! You will make it in Jesus name.As much as God will make you blessings to others, I pray that you will never lack the resources to always go higher everyday in Jesus name!

God will stand in for you where every hope has failed. You will never be disgraced in Jesus Name.Nobody can stop the wind from blowing. Whoever that tries to stop your Joy and Progress, God will destroy their powers in Jesus name.

Happy new week from us ASB's World. Love yah Folk and enjoy your week in PEACE.

Just speak NOW for thy Lord heareth

Some time ago, at about 2am, I suddenly woke up from sleep to an irritating sound. It was coming from somewhere near my bed and it was grating my nerves. I was almost sure it was a roach, scratching at some surface CONTINUOUSLY - Oh Lord, can't take it no more!

I wasn't interested in 'sniffing out' the roach and snuffing out its life, yet, I knew I could not stand the irritating sound it was making. And then, in a flash, I remembered church service the previous Sunday and the message that came from the pulpit. Pastor told us to DELIBERATELY SPEAK what we desire to see fulfilled in our lives in the new year. He told us to follow in the Master's steps and speak to things - animate or inanimate (e.g. Jesus spoke to the fig tree; He spoke to the storm too). He said the instruction is, "WHOSOEVER shall SPEAK to WHATSOEVER..."

So I decided to speak to the irritating roach. I turned to the angle where the sound was coming from and told the roach to be silent. I went to ease myself and came back to bed. Behold, there was silence, absolute silence! The grating noise stopped and I heard it no more.......

See, friends, words have tremendous power, there's no disputing that. The whole universe was created by words. When words are spoken, spiritual forces are released to take control of the physical by the power of/in the word. I bring you the same message I received: What do you want to see in 2016? What do you want to see even NOW? Start speaking and be deliberate about your choice of words.

"For assuredly, I say to you, whoever SAYS to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says." Mark 11:23 (NKJV-emphasis mine)

"Then God SAID, “Let there be light”; and there was light." Genesis 1:3 (NKJV-emphasis mine)

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)

"(as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and CALLS THOSE THINGS WHICH DO NOT EXIST AS THOUGH THEY DID..." Romans 4:17 (NKJV-emphasis mine)

"So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them." Isaiah 55:11 (MSG) - You share the nature of God, so you can speak as He does.

"Speak NOW for thy Lord heareth!"

by Sis Ayotunde

Prayer for new week

The God who makes rain fall in its season shall command His bountiful blessings towards you and your rains of blessings shall fall for you! Before this month is over, you will witness God's favour in a greater dimension. You will become the leader of all those who have led you before. God will give you special testimonies that can't be stopped, can't be manipulated and can't be diverted in Jesus Name. 

This year shall end joyously for you, your blessings will be uncountable in Jesus name.

Happy new week from us ASB's World.

YOU ARE PROTECTED

A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Psalm 91:7

These days, reading the newspapers and listening to the news can be very frightening. Almost every news item seems designed to strike fear and terror into our hearts.

This kind of fear creates panic. Pretty soon, that kind of panic makes even reasonable people go crazy. We behave like Chicken Licken in the fairy tale: an acorn fell on his head. He went round screaming to all who would listen, 'the sky is falling; some of it fell on my head'.

God promises us protection. His promise of protection does not keep us from hearing and seeing trouble around us.

His promise of protection keeps us even through the troubles and turbulence round about us.

God's presence goes with us along the paths of danger and uncertainty. He is our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal hope.

To live a happy life in this turbulent world, we must:

• Be constantly aware of God's presence. He is with us everywhere and never leaves us alone.

• Boldly claim God's protection. Know the promises of God concerning His protection and by faith, pray them into reality in
your life.

• Bypass our fears. When fear knocks on your door, let faith answer. Even when you are terrified, make the effort to bypass the fear and allow the promises of God to rule your heart.

Prayer: In the name of Jesus, I claim God's promises of safety and protection for myself and family.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 91:1-16

Health: Coffee or Tea?

A colleague recently came to me asking what’s better: coffee or tea? She told me that she (a coffee drinker) and her boyfriend (more of a tea guy) were debating which beverage is healthier, each believing their own personal preference was the more virtuous option.

It’s a good question because it seems like every day there’s news about the health benefits of one or the other, but you never see the two compared.

The truth: there isn’t a clear standout. Both of these uniquely healthy pick-me-ups have their own long list of health pros—and cons. Below, I go over the reasons to sip one or the other, along with tips for getting the most out of each one.

It’s a good question because it seems like every day there’s news about the health benefits of one or the other, but you never see the two compared.

The truth: there isn’t a clear standout. Both of these uniquely healthy pick-me-ups have their own long list of health pros—and cons. Below, I go over the reasons to sip one or the other, along with tips for getting the most out of each one.

Tea

The pros: Tea boasts a long list of health benefits. The rich antioxidants in tea fight inflammation, and have been shown to help prevent blood vessels from hardening. Tea drinkers have a significantly lower risk of stroke and heart disease, and tea is known to boost brain health. One study, for example, found that compared with older adults who drank less than three cups a week, those who drank more than two cups of green tea a day had a significantly lower risk of age-related declines in memory.

Regular tea drinkers also have higher bone density levels and slower rates of bone loss.

Overall it’s associated with anti-aging: research shows that the cells of regular tea drinkers have a younger biological age than non-drinkers. Pretty potent stuff!

The cons: The first one is purely cosmetic—stained teeth.

Another is the potential impact on your iron levels due to tanins, a type of antioxidant that interferes with the absorption of non-heme, or plant-based iron from foods like greens and beans. In one classic 1982 study drinking tea with a meal resulted in a 62% reduction in iron absorption compared to 35% for coffee.

Finally, if you’re sensitive to it, the caffeine in tea may also be a con, although the levels are lower than coffee. One cup or eight ounces of black tea contains 14-70 mg of caffeine, and green tea 24-45 mg, compared to 95-200 mg in the same sized portion of coffee.

Healthy prep tips

The most important tip for tea is to limit or avoid adding sweetener. Enjoy it hot or iced, and if you need a little sweetness add a splash of 100% fruit juice. You can also add flavor with a bit of natural seasoning, like fresh grated ginger, or fresh mint. Each of these also boosts the antioxidant potency in your mug.

As for the iron issue, if you’re an omnivore this is less of a concern since tannins do not impact the uptake of animal-based heme iron found in meat, fish, and poultry. But if you are vegetarian or vegan the best way to offset the impact is to consume your iron-rich plant foods with a source of vitamin C. In the same study, OJ upped iron absorption by 85%. Other top vitamin C sources include bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kiwi, and strawberries.

Coffee

Pros: The good news about coffee just keeps on coming. A brand new Harvard study found that those who drink about three to five cups of coffee a day may be less likely to die prematurely from some diseases than those who drink less or no coffee. A rich source of antioxidants, regular coffee consumption has also been linked to protection against type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s, and certain cancers.

Cons: Natural substances in unfiltered coffee (meaning boiled or espresso) have been shown to raise cholesterol levels slightly. Also coffee is more acidic than tea, so if you have stomach or digestive issues you may tolerate tea better.

Coffee has long had a reputation for bone issues, but it remains unclear how significant the effects are. One study found that a high intake of coffee—four or more cups a day—reduced bone density by 2-4%, but the effect didn’t translate to an increased risk of fracture. However, if you already have low bone density coffee consumption is something you should discuss with your physician.

The remaining cons of coffee are primarily tied to its caffeine content, which again is higher than in tea. Caffeine is a stimulant, so if you’re sensitive to it coffee may leave you feeling overly stimulated, jittery, and anxious. If you have high blood pressure, you should limit your caffeine intake because caffeine can cause a short, but dramatic spike in blood pressure.

Also two or more cups of coffee a day can up the risk of heart disease in people with a fairly common genetic mutation, which slows the breakdown of caffeine in the body. Unfortunately the testing for this is limited, and not typically offered by doctor’s offices. One company, affiliated with the University of Toronto, offers a test through registered dietitians, but it will likely be an out of pocket expense.

Finally, coffee is a known diuretic, meaning it flushes water from the body. Research shows that your body can adjust to a regular habit, but if you only have it once in a while, or you have more than usual, it could leave you dehydrated.

Healthy prep tips

Again, sugar and other coffee “adds” are a big issue. Fancy coffees doctored up with syrups, milk, and whipped cream can easily add up to more calories than a meal should provide: 540 for a Starbucks grande peppermint white chocolate mocha made with 2% milk and whipped cream. That’s 140 more than a salad from Chipotle made with romaine, black beans, fajita veggies, salsa, and guacamole. I’m not in favor of using artificial sweeteners due to their potential impact on appetite and blood sugar regulation, as well as gut health.

I advise my coffee loving clients to add a little plant-based milk, a minimal amount or no added sugar, and a sprinkling of an antioxidant-rich spice like cinnamon.

The bottom line

Stick with what you’re partial to, take the cons into account, and be sure you aren’t using the caffeine in either tea or coffee as a crutch, to mask fatigue from too little sleep. While you may get a benefit from using caffeine pre-exercise it’s best to cut off caffeine completely at least six hours before bed for optimal sleep. And if either beverage leaves you feeling zapped of energy, either from the caffeine or what you’re adding to it, wean down your intake and up the H2O, the ultimate health-boosting beverage.

GOD LOVES YOU

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

A number of years ago, Karl Barth, the famous German theologian, was lecturing at a major Northeaster Seminary.

At a Q& A session, a man asked Mr. Barth what's the most profound thought that ever entered his mind.

The man clearly expected to hear some philosophical comment from Mr. Barth. But the theologian looked at the man and simply said, "The most profound thought that has ever occurred to me is this: Jesus loves me. This I know, for the Bible tells me so."

You and I need to realize how remarkable the message of God's love truly is. It is simply profound and profoundly simple! And no other verse of Scripture summarizes His love for us as completely as John 3:16: "For God so loved the world..."

It is an undeniable fact. God loves you! The expression of His love is evident from the first page to the last of Scripture. But the greatest evidence of His love is Christmas.

God sent His only Son to die so that you will live. There is no greater love than that.

Enter the New Year with this confidence and assurance that God loves you unconditionally, and He wants to do great things with your life and for your life.

Prayer: Father, I enter the New Year with hope and expectations because I know You love me and You have prepared in advance great things for me.

Scriptural Reading: John 3:16-21