WHEN GOD PUTS YOU ON HOLD

SO DON'T TRY TO GET OUT OF ANYTHING PREMATURELY...' JAMES 1:4

The Bible says, 'To every thing there is a season...' (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV). So no matter how hard you pray, you can't pray your life's seasons away. There are some situations you aren't meant to change; you're just meant to survive! Paul calls these times, '...light affliction, which is...for a moment...' (2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV). When you can't alter your circumstances you must learn to grow through them. In winter, trees take advantage of the season to rebuild their strength and prepare to be fruitful next season. Their sap and substance goes underground. Then in the spring they push their way back up again in the form of new growth. Looking back over your life you'll find that your achievements are seasonal. Growth comes, then struggle, and vice versa. Each season has its purpose. God has a reason for not wanting you to be productive all the time. When He permits winter winds to blow through your life He's preparing you for the coming spring. James writes, 'Consider it a...gift...when tests...come... under pressure, your faith...shows its true colours. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.' One of the issues you'll struggle with, in a waiting period, is the urge to hurry, to make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances. Don't do it! Every situation doesn't call for immediate action. Remember, patience comes from trust, and you can't trust a God you don't know. That's why you need to spend more time getting acquainted with Him through reading His Word and praying.
Bible reading: 1 Chron 1- 2; John 8:21- 30; Ps 115; Pr 25:23- 25;

FACE YOUR FEARS

Your bus was late, so you got home late, so your dinner was late, so you got ready late, so you left the house late, so you've arrived late to your new youth group, choir practice, footie team, party ... you get the picture. You're by yourself, and you look through a crack in the door and see that everyone is there already. You're about to walk in, but then the fear kicks in. You start to sweat and panic; there's no way you can go in there and face them all. What if they all turn around to look at you, thinking goodness knows what? What if you get embarrassed and they all think you're stupid? What if they all talk about you? So many 'what ifs'. So you turn around and go home, missing out on what could have been a fantastic night. Stop! Rewind! Go back to when you got to the door, and stop saying "What if ...". Instead, say 'So what if ...?' Know that with God on your side, with His grace, you can handle anything. You may not especially like it, but you can do it, and you'll survive to face another day. When Jeremiah wanted to scarper from a whole bunch of people, God stepped in, and told Jerry not to be afraid, because He would be with him every step of the way. The same is true for you; so don't run away.
Do you find yourself constantly comparing yourself to other people? Have you got a case of 'if-only-itis'? You always see where everyone else gets it right, and you just keep getting it wrong? You wish you were more like your best mate. Or maybe you always see the glass half empty, 'They'll never want to talk to me', or 'I could never do that' or 'Why would they go out with me when they could have someone better?' If that's you, stop! Rewind! Try and look at yourself with a God-mirror. Isaiah 43:4 says 'That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.' (TM). That's you He's talking about there. Say to yourself: 'They're what God made them, and I'm what God made me. I'm unique - in a good way. Yes, I make mistakes, but I'm not a mistake. With God's grace, I can work on loving myself, on being the capable person He's made me to be'. Accept that it's a process. You don't have to get it right straight away - after all, you're only human! But if God says you can do it, you can, so face your fears. Do what you've been afraid to do. God's promise of '... I am with you ...' (Jeremiah 1:19 NLT) was all Jeremiah needed, and it's all you need too.

THE BIBLE AND THE CELL PHONE

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several time a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing.

Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being
Disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!

When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!


If you are one of the 7% who will stand up for
Him, forward this.
93% of the people won't forward this.

'Shamgar ... killed six hundred ... Philistines with an ox goad.' Judges 3:31

If you like all things gruesome then Judges is the book for you. It's full of gory tales like King Eglon in Judges 3 who was stabbed to death and was so fat that 'The fat closed in over [the knife] so he couldn't pull it out.' Or Sisera in Judges 4 who was killed by a woman called Jael, 'She drove the (tent) peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.' But Judges is also a book of God's amazing love and forgiveness. Even though God's people keep messing up, God never stops forgiving and helping them get back on track. And He used anyone who was ready and willing. Shamgar was one of those people. There's only one verse in the Bible that mentions what he did but what got Shamgar mentioned in the Bible, was not so much what he did but his attitude. Shamgar was someone ready to be used by God any time, anywhere. He could have complained and said, '600 to 1 and all I've got is a stick? You're having a laugh aren't you? Pick someone else will ya!' But he didn't. What about you? Are you ready to be used by God any time, anywhere to do whatever He asks, or do you have a bag full of excuses?

Humble Yourselves

1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

When people are asked to totally commit their lives to God, people make the excuse and say “they are not ready.” There will never be a specific time when a person is ready. In fact the longer a person stays in world, the harder it becomes to transition to living righteously. Yes committing to God will require some sacrifices like not having sex before marriage, getting high/drunk, and club hoppin but in the end it will all be worth it. In the end a person will be able to experience eternal joy, the desires of their heart, and most importantly glorifying God.

Don’t let life pass you by, by living off of temporary happiness. Stop whatever you’re doing and submit your life to God’s will.

Be encouraged!

THIS IS THE SECRET THAT I USE TO STAY YOUNG AND HEALTHY

Many people have been wondering how I get to maintain the 21yr old look yet am older,I decided to compile this piece so that friends may try it and see how it fares on them. However please note that I reduced my toxic intakes(alcohol,carbonated drinks etc) by 64%

1. Berries

All berries are low in sugar and high in fiber. Blueberries have been shown to increase memory in lab studies, and raspberries and strawberries are loaded with ellagic acid, a powerful antioxidant that seems to have some anti-cancer properties, according to the American Cancer Society.

2. Beans

Beans are extremely high in fiber, which helps to control weight, prevent or manage diabetes and blood sugar, and may help prevent colon cancer and protect against heart disease. The National Institute of Medicine recommends 25-38 grams of fiber a day. The average American gets only 4-11 grams. One cup of beans provides 11-17 grams.

3. Nuts

Some of the largest and most important long-term studies of diet and health have shown that eating nuts several times a week is consistent with a risk of heart attack and heart disease that is 30%-50% lower than the general population. Just one ounce of nuts-almonds, macadamia, Brazil , walnuts, pecans-eaten three to five times a week seems to be the magic number.

4. Wild Salmon

Fish is the ultimate anti-aging food. Cold-water fatty fish like wild salmon, sardines, mackerel and herring contain omega-3 fats that protect the brain and the heart, improve mood, and lower blood pressure and triglycerides.

5. Raw Milk

Raw, organic milk nearly always comes from grass-fed cows and contains high levels of cancer-fighting CLA (conjugated linolenic acid) as well as a rich assortment of vitamins, minerals and beneficial bacteria (like Lactobacillus acidophilus)

6. Grass-Fed

Meat Meat from grass-fed cows has a much different fat profile than ordinary supermarket meat: high in omega-3s, lower in potentially harmful omega-6s and loaded with CLA, a kind of fat known for its anti-cancer activity. A superb source of protein and vitamin B12, it's also missing the antibiotics, steroids and hormones found in the meat that comes from feedlot farms.

7. Eggs

Considered by many to be nature's most perfect food, the egg is high in protein and relatively low in calories. The yolk contains choline, one of the most important nutrients for the brain, as well as lutein and xeazanthin, two critical nutrients for eye health. Brassica Vegetables Cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and kale all contain plant compounds called indoles that help reduce the risk of cancer. In addition to a stunning range of vitamins and minerals, they also contain sulforaphane, an important plant chemical that helps the body detoxify health-damaging chemicals.

8. Apples

Not only do they keep the doctor away, they also appear to do the same for lung cancer, diabetes and asthma. An apple contains five grams of fiber and a rich blend of nutrients including the bone-building vitamin K and the anti-inflammatory nutrient quercetin. And there's no better way to control your appetite than an apple eaten about half an hour before a big meal.

9. Onions and Garlic

In an impressive number of published studies, the consumption of onions and garlic has demonstrated protective effects against stomach, prostate and esophageal cancer. Along with broccoli, tea and apples, onions and garlic are among a select group of foods found to reduce mortality from heart disease by 20%.

10. Pomegranate Juice

Called "a natural Viagra" by researchers at Tel Aviv University , pomegranate juice is loaded with antioxidants. Studies show it can reduce blood pressure and plaque in the arteries. New research indicates it also slows the progression of tumors.. Four to eight ounces a day is highly recommended.

11. Green Tea

Though all teas are great for you, green tea has a unique profile of plant chemicals that have anti-cancer activity. It's now fairly established that green tea may help prevent the following types of cancers in humans: bladder, colon, oesophagus, pancreas, rectum and stomach. If that's not enough, it also appears to help with weight control.