One Life To Give
by Joyce Meyer – posted October 15, 2012
God sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins, and to deliver us from them. He came to undo what Adam did. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, He comes to live in our sprit and if we allow that renewed part of us to rule our decisions, we can overcome the selfish, sin nature of our flesh. It won’t go away, but the greater One who lives in us helps us overcome it daily (see Gal. 5:16). That does not mean we never sin, but we can improve and make progress throughout our lives.
Paul wrote our verse for today: “I die daily.” In other words, even this well-known apostle struggled with putting others first; he found that doing so was a daily battle and required daily decisions. Each of us must decide how we will live and what we will live for; and there is no better time to do so than right now. You and I have one life to live and one life to give, so the question is: How are you going to spend your life?
Love God Today: Remember that whatever you do for others, you are doing for God.
From the book Love Out Loud by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2011 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.
New Thinking, New Living
Today’s Scripture:
And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins. – Mark 2:22, NKJV.
Today’s Word:
Are you ready for increase? Are you ready to go to the next level, spiritually, physically and emotionally? Many times, people hear the truth that God has more in store, and something resonates on the inside. Their spirit comes into agreement with God; but often times, their natural mind will try to talk them out it. Thoughts will come like, “It’s not going to happen for you. You’re not going to have a great year. You know what the economy is like.” Or, “You’re never going to get well. You saw what the medical report said.” “You’re never going to get married. You’ve been single so long.”
Friend, those are the old wineskins or the old way of thinking that you have to get rid of. This is a new season. What’s happened in the past is over and done. You may have been through some disappointments, you may have tried and failed, or things didn’t work out. That’s okay. God is still in control. It’s time to get a new vision for your life. It’s time to open yourself to a new way of thinking so that you can receive all the blessings God has in store for you!
Prayer for Today:
Father in heaven, today I choose to get rid of old wineskins. I choose to release old thinking, old habits, and anything that would keep me from Your best. Strengthen me by Your Spirit so that I can live my life in a way that pleases You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
Soaring Above The Critics
Posted by Joel Osteen on 10/12/2012
I believe God has new levels of freedom for you today. One of the ways you can see yourself go to a higher level is by learning to choose your battles and refusing to fight battles that don’t matter. Friend, you don’t have to fight every battle. You don’t have to respond to every critic. You don’t have to be offended because of what someone said. You’re not a crow; you’re an eagle. You can rise above it. You can soar at new heights.
This is what Nehemiah did. God called him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He and his men got started, but he had two main critics: Sanballat and Tobias. They were constantly criticizing him, spreading rumors, and trying to make him look bad. They said, “Nehemiah is not a builder. He doesn’t know what he is doing. If a fox runs on this wall, it’s going to fall down.”
The whole time, Nehemiah and his men had to listen to these two men belittle them, ridicule them, and make fun of them. What did Nehemiah do? He simply ignored them. He let it go in one ear and out the other. When that didn’t work, they went to the city leaders and started spreading lies. They said, “Nehemiah is not building this wall for our good. He’s just building a kingdom unto himself.” They started questioning his motives. Don’t you know that Nehemiah was tempted to come down off that wall and say, “Guys, I’m going to shut you up? I’m going to show you who I am.” No, he was smart enough to realize they were a distraction. He chose to ignore them and went on to build that wall in record time.
Anytime God puts a dream in your heart and you start pursuing your goals, you can be sure that the “Sanballats” and the “Tobiases” will show up. The mark of a true champion is knowing which battles to fight. As in this case, many battles should be ignored. Nehemiah knew if he came down off the wall and spent his time and energy, sure, he could have defeated those two men. Sure, that would have made him feel good. But, it would not have advanced him toward his destiny. It would not have helped the wall get built any faster. Bottom line: he chose to be an eagle. He chose to rise above it.
I’m asking us to do the same thing. Be selective as to what you give your attention to. Don’t get caught up in battles that don’t matter. Let’s learn to do like Nehemiah and ignore the Sanballats and Tobiases. Friend, if you will get good at knowing what to ignore and not get distracted by things that don’t matter, God will fight your battles. He will promote you, and you will overcome every obstacle and become everything God has created you to be!
Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Your Natural Hair
by Sunshyne of Hairliciousinc.com
Have you tried Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) in your hair regimen? If not, wait no longer!
When used on the hair, extra virgin olive oil can nourish, condition and improve the strength and elasticity.
Due to it’s ability to penetrate the hair shaft, this rich moisturizing oil can reach the cortex of the hair, allowing the hair to feel conditioned, nourished, and healthy with each use.
Extra virgin olive oil contains antioxidant vitamin E, vitamin A and helps heal dry flaky scalp, also known as dandruff.
Ways to add this oil into your hair regimen for maximum benefits:
- Preshampoo treatment – Add 2-4 tbsps of EVOO to your dry unwashed hair. Apply to the ends first. Use the rest in your scalp. Cover your hair with a plastic cap for 15-20mins (with or without heat). Wash and condition as usual.
- Scalp oil – Add 2 tbsps of EVOO to a applicator bottle. Place bottle in warm water to heat up. Test on wrist until desired temp is reached. Apply to the scalp and massage for 10-15 mins. The oil will help dandruff and dryness and the massage will promote growth.
- Leave-in – You can use a dab of EVOO over your leave-in conditioner to lock in moisture thus helping to retain a proper moisture balance.
- Mixed into your deep conditioner – Add 1-2 tbsps of EVOO to your desired deep conditioner for soft, conditioned, smooth hair. This is my favorite method!!
Are you an EVOO girl? How do you use it? How often?
Source: CurlyNikki.Com
DIY Monday: Scented Pine Cones
Since the weather is beginning to turn into fall (Well kind of for me ~ I do live in Florida – LOL), I have been itching to put some touches of fall around the house. I love the rugged look and smell of scented pine cones. Not to mention the fact that you can find them everywhere and for FREE! So this year I thought it would be fun to make my own scented pine cones and use them as fall decorations. It is quite easy to make and the kids can even join in on the fun. So let get Crafting!
Here’s What You Need:
Pine cones
Glue
Foam brush
Spices
Mixing bowls
Plastic bag
Spoon
Clean the Pine Cones – If you collected the pine cones yourself, you should clean them so you won’t have trouble with insects or sap. Wash them in the sink.
Clean the Pine Cones Pt. 2 – Place on a foil-covered cookie sheet and bake for 1 hour at 200F. Stay in the kitchen to watch for any smoke or fire, as there is a small chance due to the sap.
Prepare the Glue – Mix together equal parts of glue and water in a bowl.
Mix the Spices – Place your desired spices into a plastic bag and mix together. Some suggestions: Cinnamon, Allspice, Ground Cloves and/or Nutmeg.
Coat the Pine Cones With Glue – Dip a foam brush into the glue mixture and paint onto the pine cone.
Add the Spices – Place the glue-covered pine cone in the spice mixture bag, then shake.
Dry the Pine Cones – Allow the pine cones to dry in the bag at least overnight. Tap them when you take them out of the bag to remove any spices not sticking to the glue.
* Designer’s Tip – These pine cones can also be added to a fire to fill your home or campfire with a lovely aroma.
Source: About.Com
Cheesy Vegetable Chowder
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup finely chopped carrot
- 1 celery stick, finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 large baking potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 Tablespoon flour
- 1/2 cup water
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 cups chopped broccoli
- 2 heaping cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
1. Melt the butter in a large soup pot. Add onions, carrots, and celery and saute over medium heat until tender. Add garlic and cook 1 or 2 additional minutes.
2. Add chicken broth and potatoes, bring to a boil, and cook until potatoes are tender. Mix flour with water, add, and simmer until soup is slightly thickened. Add milk and broccoli and cook until broccoli is just tender and soup is heated through. Stir in cheese, allow to melt.
3. Serve & Enjoy!
Loaded Cookie Dough Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
- 1/2 Cup Butter, softened
- 1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 3 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp. Vanilla
- 1 Cup Oats (regular or quick)
- 1 Cup Miniature Plain M&Ms
- 1 Cup Miniature Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Instructions
1. Mix cream cheese, butter, vanilla and peanut butter until smooth. Stir in brown sugar and powdered sugar, mixing well. Next fold in oats, m&ms and chocolate chips.
2. Serve with pretzels or graham cracker sticks or your favorite dippers.
Baked Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
- 3 large fresh rosemary sprigs, cut in half
- 3 fresh oregano sprigs
- 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 1 large lemon
- 2 lbs. extra-large shrimp (26 to 30 per lb.), preferably wild, peeled and deveined
- 2 Tbs. white wine vinegar
- Kosher salt to taste
Instructions
1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F.
2. Cut the lemon in half top to bottom (tip to tip), then take one half of ther lemon, place it on its flat (cut) surface, and slice across into thin half-moon shapes. Take the other half of the lemon, place IT on its flat side, then cut it top to tip to tip again, then across into 10-12 chunks.
3. Place the peppercorns and coriander seeds in a mortar and pestle and crush until well cracked and broken.
4. Pour the oil into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add the herb sprigs, pepper and coriander, and the lemon chunks. Bake until the oil mixture is fragrant, about 12-15 minutes.
5. Add the shrimp to the dish and toss with tongs until coated, and top with the half-moon slices of lemon. Bake the shrimp until pink and firm, 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Remove the dish from the oven, add the vinegar and kosher salt to taste, toss well, and let rest at room temperature until the oil cools slightly, about 5 minutes, before serving.
Source: Fine Cooking Magazine
Lemon Pound Cake
Ingredients
for the cake
- 4 large eggs
- 1 (8 ounce) cream cheese, soften
- 1 (3 1/2 ounce) package Jell-O lemon gelatin mix
- 1 (18 1/2 ounce) package Betty Crocker Lemon cake mix
- 3/4 cup canola oil
- 1 Tablespoon lemon extract
for the glaze
- 5-6 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- grated zest of 2 lemon
- 6 tablespoons canola oil
- 6 tablespoons water
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray bunt pan with cooking spray. Combine the cake mix, gelatin mix, cream cheese, eggs lemon extract and oil; blend well with an electric mixer until smooth, about 2 – 3 minutes.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Place waxed paper underneath to catch any drips.
4. To make the glaze, sift the sugar into a mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, zest, oil, and water. Mix with a spoon until smooth.
Spoon or drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake while it’s still warm, covering as much of the cake as possible.
5. Serve & Enjoy!
*CHEF’S TIP – For an extra boost of lemony flavor; Poke holes in the cake and pour 1/2 of the glaze over the cake while still in the pan when it comes out the oven.
Change Your Environment
Today’s Scripture:
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. – Mark 1:35, NIV.
Today’s Word:
Are you facing challenges today or feeling overwhelmed by your circumstances? Perhaps what you see on the outside doesn’t match what God has placed on the inside of you. The key is: don’t sit around in self-pity, depressed or discouraged. Go out and find someplace you can dream and connect with Almighty God. Go to the park and watch the sunset. Look up at the stars and think about His goodness. Take a break from the environment that seems to be holding you back. Find a place that inspires you, a place where you can meditate on His Word and let your faith be elevated. Stay in a good, Bible-based church where people are going to build you up and not tear you down; a place where people are going to challenge you to rise higher and become all that God has created you to be.
I know people who get home from work every night and watch the same depressing TV shows week after week. Don’t let that be you! If you’re going to enlarge your vision, you’ve got to get out of a limited environment. Put yourself in an atmosphere of victory and success and move forward in the good things God has prepared for you!
Prayer for Today:
Father, today I choose to separate myself from my circumstances and from my environment so I can set my heart and mind on You. Show me Your ways. Reveal Your love to me. Give me Your vision of victory for my future in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
I Am Lady Fab 