Tobacco

Today, on World No Tabacco Day, we look at reasons why you should stop,and a few ways to help you quit..

1) Better late than never

2) Your choices

3) Quit smoking clinics

4) Hypnotherapy

5) Accpuncture 

Benefits of NOT SMOKING:

-LIVE LONGER

-STRONGER IMMNUE SYSTEM

-PREVENTION FROM DISEASES

-INCREASED FITNESS AND APPETITE

-MORE APPEALING PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

-PROTECTING OTHERS FROM 2ND HAND SMOKE

-GOOD ROLE MODEL FOR YOUR CHILDREN

-MORE DISPOSABLE INCOME

WHEN YOU FEEL THE URGE TO SMOKE:

-TAKE THREE DEEP BREATHES SLOWLY

-CHEW ON GUM OR FRUITS BUT AVOID ANYTHING SWEET

WASH YOUR HANDS-YOU CAN'T PICK UP CIGARETTE WITH WET HANDS

-DELAY LIGHTING UP FOR 5 MINUTES OR LONGER

-DRINK LOTS OF WATER. AVOID COFFEE OR TEA

-STAY AWAY FROM SITUATIONS,AREAS OR FRIENDS WHO SMOKE

Emcouragement for Today

Encouragement for Today

Unfailing Love

"What a man desires is unfailing love." Proverbs 19:22a (NIV)

Devotion:

"I LOVE this dress!" she exclaimed, "I simply throw it in the washer and it comes out looking new!"  My friend was trying to convey to us just how necessary this garment had become in her closet. She "loved" it.

We use the word "love" so indiscriminately that often thetrue meaning of love gets lost. Or worn out from overuse. Today's key verse tells us that everyone desires love and not just any love, but unfailing love.   

One of the lessons I learned when I became an adult was the realization that things wear out and need to be replaced.  At my first wedding (yes, I said first), I remember receiving several sets of towels.  One wise older woman told me to tuck a set away to save for later.  She was so right.  After many washings and years of use they became my favorite rags. I needed to pull out another set because these failed to provide that warm-fuzzy you need when stepping out of the shower.

 

Is love like that? Does it just wear out or fall apart? I wondered.

For years, many things in my life fell apart.  Moving every year when I was young caused loving friendships to fall apart.  Loving family relationships were also fractured.  And the very first sexual abuse I can remember was in second grade, then fourth grade, then by a church leader when I was 13.  "Love" became a numb, meaningless word to me. 

 

So my question became, "Where could unfailing love be found?"  Does lasting love exist when everyone around me is falling in and out of what they call love? 

In 1 John 4:7 I found my answer, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." The Greek word for "beloved" isagapetos, which means "dearly loved."  The very first thing this verse tells us is that we are dearly loved by God. The second piece tells us we can love one another because of God's love.

 

The only way we can fill that gaping hole that needs unfailing love is to fall into the arms of our Everlasting Father.  When the Bible tells us, "God is love," it is saying that without Him, we can only create temporary, fragile and indiscriminate love. 

Our abilities are limited, but oh sweet sisters, we are daughters of the very God who IS love! He is the only one to turn to for unconditional, uncompromising, unfailing love.  When we accept His love for us, then and only then, can we pour out true love onto others.

   

Dear Lord, how can we comprehend the love You have for us?  There is nothing on earth that even comes close to it! Teach me to accept Your love and then shower others with the grace and love You have given me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps: 
Make a list of all the things that fall into the category, "I love..." 

Have you tried to fill your need for unfailing love with anything on that list? 

Write a prayer to God asking Him to replace your worn out list with His unfailing love. 

Reflections:  
What fills my love list?  

How can I accept God's love for me? 

Who around me needs His love to flow through me and to them?

Power Verses:

Romans 8:37-38, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NIV)

1 Corinthians 13:8a, "Love never fails." (NIV)

Encouragement for Today

Encouragement for Today

Rescue the Abandoned

 "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."

I Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV)

Devotion:

The thought of callously abandoning an infant without nourishment or protection seems incomprehensible.  Unfortunately, it happens every day.  Often it happens in the church.

 

Sometimes I've been the one who abandons.  Many times newborn Christians are sent out into their fresh spiritual life with little more than a "God bless you" and pat on the back.  These excited new followers of Jesus set off on an unfamiliar path brimming with zeal and hope.  But they often begin to stumble and fall quickly without mature Christians to answer their questions, clear up confusion and encourage them through the inevitable rough spots.  Although no one can snatch them from their Father's hand, many new Christians fall prey to discouragement and walk paths that are less than the ones for which they were created.

 

There are many reasons that baby Christians are abandoned and left to walk alone without nourishment or protection.  I think that one of the main reasons is the busyness of our culture.  Our time is demanded by our families, jobs, friendships, computer, tv....  Nurturing a baby Christian takes time.  It takes patience.  It takes commitment; but most of all it takes true love.  Robert Coleman, author of The Master Plan of Evangelism, says, "There is a lot of talk in the church about evangelism and Christian nurture, but little concern for personal association when it becomes evident that such work involves the sacrifice of personal indulgence."

 

Ouch!  I really wish he would move along and get out of my personal space!  He continues, "Unless new Christians, if indeed they are saved, have parents or friends who will fill the gap in a real way, they are left entirely on their own to find the solutions to innumerable practical problems confronting their lives, any one of which could mean disaster to their new faith."

 

God has recently delivered a precious new soul into the lives of our family.  One of my son's friends, Lindsey, had begun asking some very big questions.  He had the chance to talk with her about Jesus, and at a church youth retreat, Lindsey gave her heart to the Lord.  It's a thrill to watch her as she falls in love with her Savior and begins a brand new life.  She still has lots of questions though, and it is very obvious that many are being called to come alongside.  Lindsey's Christian friends surround her with support at their high school and are committed to bring her to church.  Adult friends visit her home and are building relationships with her family.  I am leading a small group to help teach some of the basic foundations of the faith and practices that lead to growth. 

 

Lindsey is an example of one of the sweetest of babies, but what about the others?  Not all newborns are rosy-cheeked and smell like powder!  Many Christian babies are entering their new life dragging lots of baggage.  Financial crisis, promiscuity, addiction and bitterness are just a few of the very real problems new Christians may tow.

 

Will we commit to feeding, cleaning, nurturing and loving these babies?  It may seem easier just to pack them off and walk away, but the toll is too high for the Kingdom.  Trusting in the transforming power of Christ and asking Him to make us an instrument of His grace, let's commit to being workers in the "infant nursery" of our church as we care for these precious new believers.

Dear Lord, You are a kind, loving and nurturing Father.  Help me to follow in Your footsteps as I nurture your newest children.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.     

Quotes

Encouragement for Today

Encouragement for Today

Father, Comforter,Disciplinarian

"...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)        

Devotion:

Have you ever opened a book and read a passage and been amazed because it was exactly what you needed to hear?  And you felt like it was written and sent just to you on that day at that moment? Some may call it a coincidence, but I call it a gift from God! 

I have hope in the Lord because He is my Father. I can trust Him and count on Him to keep His Word.  My heavenly Father is always with me, something my earthly parents can't be.

 

I have hope in the Lord because He is my Comforter.  My foot may hurt and my emotions are unbalanced. I don't feel very comfortable at the moment, but I am comforted.  My Comforter supplies me with the love, peace, and hope I need to know I'm going to be okay.

 

I have hope in the Lord because He is my Disciplinarian. I have to admit, this isn't my favorite characteristic of Him. But I know without it, I'd be out of control!  I need a strong hand to guide me and keep me in line. I actually feel safe and secure because my Father disciplines me.  I know it is through that discipline that I am strengthened. I also know He disciplines me because He loves me.

 

I may be weak today, but what a great place to be. It draws me closer to the One I need most. My Father, my Comforter, my Disciplinarian.

Dear Lord, I have found my hope in You!  Thank You for being there to provide for me as my Father, Comforter, and Disciplinarian.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps: 

If you are exhausted, drained, and ready to quit, read Isaiah 40:28-31. 

Rest in knowing that the Lord will renew your strength.

 

Reflections: 

Where do I go for hope and comfort?

 

Maybe I need to have more time with God today.

 

Power Verses:

Isaiah 40:28-31, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like an eagle; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk, and not faint." (NIV)    

 

She is Dianna Wilson,from Tawau,studying PHarma at Masterskill College,beautiful,funny,smart..and lastly,she loves me..

Encouragement for Today

Greener Pastures

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul." Psalm 23:2-3 (NIV)

Devotion:

What kind of pressured situations do you face? Is it the constant stress of trying to make ends meet? Perhaps discontentment is the villain that adds pressure to your life? 

Something else happens when we feel the demands of life pressing in as well. We become annoyed by the very people we love most. I don't want to live this way, and neither do you.

The truth is the pressure and responsibility of caring for so many can drain me. I get tired and worn out. David got tired too. His job was just as stressful as ours as he protected, guided, and tended to his sheep. How did David manage? He looked to his Good Shepherd for rest and the Lord provided. "He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul" (Psalm 23:2-3).

It's important for us to rest, but do we? Can we? Perhaps you find it difficult to sleep at night because of the stress that plagues you.

God has a better plan to relieve our stress. The Lord leads us to "lie down in green pastures" in order to revive and refresh us emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

The truth is, God never put us in charge of everything, just certain assignments. While the stress and pressures of our duties can deplete us, God has not left us empty. He desires to refill all of our dry places so we have supply for tomorrow. The secret is stealing away with God to places of unending rest.

Dear Lord, I often feel guilty taking time for myself. Today, I understand that this is Your plan for me. Help me to rest. Guard my time and help me manage my responsibilities so that I can renew myself emotionally, spiritually, and psychically each day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps: 

Where do you find relaxation--in a bubble bath; by taking a walk; gardening; visiting a spa or taking a nap? Plan to rest each day even if it's only 10-15 minutes. It will do wonders for your stress and recharge your batteries.

 

Reflections: 

Are you getting enough downtime to recharge? If not, how can you change that?

 

Do you sometimes feel guilty when you do rest? Could this be a sign that you're doing too much?

 

Power Verses:

Palms 62:1, "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him." (NIV)

 

Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (NIV)

 

Encouragement for Today

Pick Me!

 "...so in Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us."

Romans 12:5-6a (NIV)

I imagine that God wishes we would be a little more like school children at times. As a child, when given a possible opportunity to lead in any capacity, we didn't stop to think how long the act of service would last. We didn't care so much what would be required of us ... would it cost us anything, or if there might be something else that we would rather do.

As adults, we tend to over-analyze everything and as a result, we find ourselves procrastinating, which causes our desire to serve to wane. When God called me to be a speaker and writer, I wasted several years trying to pretend that I did not really understand God correctly, or hoping that He would have sympathy for my fears and hesitations and give me an easier task. Oh, how He would have been so pleased if instead I had responded with, "Pick me Lord! Yes, pick me!"

When God calls us into service, often the timeliness of our response is a measure of our faith. Procrastination is a sign that we are not trusting that God will lead the way and guide our paths. Procrastination leads to confusion and indecision, giving the enemy an opportunity to work at convincing us that we are unworthy, unqualified and incapable of carrying out God's will. As a result, we become paralyzed with fear, doubts and insecurities.

Stepping out in faith requires us to fully rely on God, and not on our own assessments of our abilities. Philippians4:13 reads "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Do you believe it? Is God is calling you to a task that is beyond what you think you are capable of; one that may require you to make sacrifices and choose God's plans over your own? Are you willing to say, "Pick me!" and then depend on His strength and sovereignty to carry out His will?

Dear Lord, give me ears to hear Your voice and to know when You are calling me to serve. Help me to put my faith in You, and not in my own abilities. Fill me with a desire to serve in whatever way You have ordained for my life, and bless me with the opportunity to use the spiritual gifts that You have equipped me with. Help me to have confidence to move forward in faith because of who You are, not because of who I am. Pick me Lord! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps: 

Pray for God to make His will known to you, and to give you the desire to step out in faithful obedience to it.

Reflections: 

Has God been calling me to a task that I am running from?

What can I do to take that first step towards obedience?

Power Verses:

Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (NIV)

 

Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

**********************************************************************************

Say no to plastic bags on PLASTIC BAGS..

**********************************************************************************

Premier League - Manchester United are champions!!

Manchester United were crowned Premier League champions after a goalless draw withArsenal at Old Trafford.United only needed a point to secure a third consecutive Premier League title and that is what they achieved with a cautious performance.It was the 11th title of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign and means United match Liverpool's record haul of 18 in the top-flight.

TAKEN FROM TODAY STAR NEWSPAPER..

When wives take it out on their hubbies

Men are no longer the aggressors in a family as they too have fallen victim to domestic violence. there were at least 50 reported cases of men being physically beaten up by their wives between 2006 and 2008 nationwide. There was even a case where the wife set fire to her husband. “These are isolated cases but I believe there are many others which have gone unreported. It is a misconception that men are the aggressors and women the victims. “Among the contributing factors are betrayal of trust and financial issues in a family. In most cases, the husbands were found to have cheated on their wives. “The wives would vent their anger at them out of frustration and sometimes, they would beat their husbands for failing to give in to their demands,” Rozaidi told reporters after opening a family integrity forum at the Tabung Haji Complex in Bayan Lepas yesterday.

women nowadays very dangerous as well..do you think my partner will abuse me!!!

Premier League - Tevez takes United to brink of title

Carlos Tevez inspired a second-half comeback as Manchester United moved to the brink of the Premier League title with a 2-1 win at Wigan. United had trailed to Hugo Rodallega's 28th-minute goal until Tevez went on as a substitute and equalized just three minutes later with a 61st-minute back heel into the net. England midfielder Michael Carrick then scored the winner with four minutes remaining at JJB Stadium. United needs only to avoid defeat against visiting Arsenal on Saturday to clinch the championship with a game remaining and go level with Liverpool on a record 18 titles. Liverpool is six points behind United ahead of its penultimate game at West Bromwich Albion, also on Saturday.

Manchester United a confirm winner...hahahahaaha...deepest condolences for EPL football teams. Will improve again for next season despite having rumors C. Ronaldo moving to Real Madrid. Without him,ManU still able to win titles with bunch of talented youngsters.