Generosity Is The Spirit

Literally meaning of Generosity, a willingness to give help or support by the way of money, kindness. A christian definition of generosity-Jesus fed five thousand people with five barley loaves and two small fish. His nature is to be abundantly generous. The good news for us is that we can learn to be just as generous. Jn.6:11-13 " Then Jesus took the loaves,and when he had given thanks,he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted." 

In other words generosity is an aspect of God. One of the attributes of God's nature, one aspect of love, we could say,is its generosity or abundance.The five thousand people in the crowd were not just kept for starvation -they are generously provided for! The abundance was sufficient to be gathered up and put to good use so that none of that blessing would be wasted. 2Pet:1:3-4 " His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness,through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.Thus he has given us,through these things,his precious and very great promises,so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust,and may become participants of the divine nature."

Definition of Spirit-the non-physical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character,the soul,the prevailing or typical quality,mood.Its a particular way of thinking,feeling,or behaving,especially a way that is typical of particular group of people, an activity,a time,or a place.Eg: players have a very strong team spirit-loyalty to each other.

Many ask for blessings,but only few receive.The giver is always giving but the taker is not there-the sincerity is missing.One who gives blessings gives freely,but the one who receives has to be sincere.Sincerity is the qualification to receive blessings.Why do people choose to be sincere only sometimes.People are going after pleasure makes them insincere.When you are sincere,you simply enjoy pleasure without craving for it.Sincerity is being in touch with your depth.When you feel you are struck in life and not growing, or are bombarded by desires,when you feel dryness,no enthusiasm,no juice,what do you do.

Feel generous -right now,not tomorrow,but right now.Both rich and poor can feel generous .Generosity is a quality of spirit. When you feel generous,your life becomes abundant,full of compassion and love.

Gratitude always has self-concern.You are greatful because you have something or you get something.Essentially,generosity is not an act. It is state of consciousness,but it finds its expression in an act. 

A person who is generous of spirit is generally considered a magnanimous person,high-minded,fair,noble,big and worthy. People who are generous spirits tend to extend to others what they want for themselves. It is the golden rule personified.

Categories: Bible Thoughts Good Thoughts happiness moral values Motivation

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People Always Running After Happiness

People spend their whole lives running after happiness and thinking, if I had this or that I would be happy. But happiness through physical pleasure disappears the moment the pleasure is gone. One can never get enough and is never happy. This has been  shown, time and time again, with the world's most popular and richest people who happen to often be depressed.

Do we need to eat all the time, every day?. By fasting,by not doing anything,by abandoning all your works,all desires,you allow your body to stop,to rest,to renew itself.Try your best to learn the art of stopping of resting. People on holidays are very eager to go to the picnic spot and to resorts,and they think that they are going to rest.but I am not sure that they are going to rest.They may get very tired after the period of resting. If you can allow your body to rest, then you can also allow your mind, your consciousness,to rest also. All of us need it.

All are living in a mechanical life,especially the working class.No one is satisfied with their own life due to constrained of their work or their family problems.If we stand in a bus stop or in a railway station one can watch how public is moving.No one is happy with, never can see a smiling face, on the contrary we can see sadness in each and every once face.Running towards their destination, nobody bothers anybody and they don't have any peace of mind and not getting real rest in their own life.

There is comfort in knowing that everything is temporary,which means even sorrow's won't last long either. We do not have to look for happiness outside, ourselves happiness lies within. That spiritual bliss of soul is now covered by this material body made of earth,water, fire, air and ether.

Certain animals knows that there is a reserve in itself. It can survive many, many days without eating,and that is why the animal is not eager to go and look for something to eat.In fact,fasting is a very wonderful way of healing yourself. The most difficult disease you have may just be healed by fasting.

Material happiness is temporary,one is happy with beautiful wife,girlfriend,boy friend,bank balance,good job,relatives,home and car.Such happiness is material and thus short lived.

You know your needs. Do you have the opportunity to lie down and really rest? Do you have the opportunity to really sit down, properly? Because,in you,there is a tendency to struggle, to do this,to do that,because you have been taught since time immemorial that you have to struggle for your happiness.And during many generations,you have been struggling,you have been running.

You have never been able to stop.Our great grandfather did that,our grandfather did that,our father did that,and now we are doing exactly the same thing. Always running,because we believe that happiness is something in the future,and you have to go there in order to grasp it.

Thomas Brooks (1608-1680 ) under the title " The Crown and Glory Of Christianity: Or, The Only Way To Happiness (1662). Its a massive defense of interconnectedness of human happiness and holiness that runs on and on,point after subpoint,to make the case irrefutably clear from Scripture.

Holiness differs nothing from happiness but in name," Brooks boldly writes near the opening of the book. "Holiness is happiness in the bud,and happiness is holiness at the full.Happiness is nothing but the quintessence of holiness."

According to Matthew Henry ( 1662-1714) a celebrated Bible Scholar who saw the same thing. "Those only are happy,truly happy  that are holy,truly holy,"."Goodness and holiness are not only the way to happiness but happiness itself.".The soul's true happiness is no incidental byproduct of holiness.The true happiness is true holiness.

Categories: food habits Good Health Good Thoughts happiness health Motivation Perfection

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Smiling Is The Medicine For Your Anger

A strong feeling of annoyance,displeasure or hostility is the definition of Anger.Breathing in, I know that anger makes me ugly. Breathing out, I do not want to be contorted by anger. Breathing in, I know I must take care of myself. Breathing out, I know loving kindness is the only answer.

Biblical meaning of Anger: Anger can shatter communication and tear apart relationship,and it ruins both the joy and health of many. Anger can become sinful when it is motivated by pride.Jas.1:20 "For your anger does not produce God's righteousness". 

When we feel angry, we should go back to our conscious breathing and refrain from looking and listening to the person we think to be the source of our unhappiness.We don't need to do or say anything.As we go back to our breathing, we should be aware that it is our anger that is making us suffer, not the other person.

The bible can be a great tool to help combat being quick to anger. By reading these Bible verses about anger, you can find a better way to cope with your problems.Although these Bible verses on anger may not be your cure, they should help soothe your soul and put you back on the right path.

1Jn.1:9 "If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness". The confession should be both of God and to those who have been hurt by our anger. 

Don't let your loved one be affected by your anger.Mtt.5:22 "But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool, you will be liable to the hell of fire."

As we see ourselves clearly, we know what to do and what not to do.The exaltation that follows will have the same effect. In anger, we tend to think of the other person as the source of our suffering. We see evil in him or her. "He is cruel"."She oppresses me"."He wants to to destroy me." In fact,it is our anger that destroys us.

So,we must take good care of our anger. When an accident took place first we should taken care of the victim to be hospitalised  for immediate medical treatment,instead of finding the cause of the accident or assess the damage or fight with the person concerned. 

The best Medicine in the world without any side effect is a "SMILING FACE" We pray that this Medicine stays always with you to overcome your anger.

If Five seconds of smile make a photograph more beautiful, Then just imagine how beautiful your life will be when you keep on smiling.Nothing in the nature lives for itself.Rivers don't drink their own water. Trees don't eat their own fruits.The sun doesn't shine for itself.A flower's fragrance is not for itself. Living for each other is the rule of nature.Live you life with understanding,then only you can smile and lead a beautiful life, at the same time your anger will vanishes. 

If we think happy thoughts, we will be happy and put the negativity behind you. Take a few moments to yourself to meditate, breathe,and get rid of your anger. You can divert to your attention,take a walk,listen to music,chat with your friends or talk to family members,and smile.By forcing yourself to smile and think happy thoughts,you will become happy.Then you can make true and honest smile. Only loving kindness can take care of our anger, and only loving kindness can take care of the other person.

Categories: Bible Thoughts Devotional Good Health Good Thoughts happiness Motivation Perfection

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Selfless Love And Peace

In the Christian way of life, peace comes through fellowship with God and daily growth, advancement in spiritual things which brings stability. A relaxed mental attitude, orientation to plan of God, occupation with Christ,and the ability to employ.

Jn.14:27 " Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." There are 429 times the word used in The Holy Bible.

  

We all want peace: peace of mind, peace of the family and community, between countries, peace with our environment.  There is scarcely any one who does not yearn for peace. But how many of us are prepared to pay the price of peace, Love.

Love for Enemies: Mtt.5:43-45 "You have heard that it was said. 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I  say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

We need to love each other; have compassion and be prepared to sacrifice for one another and work for togetherness and peace. Love and peace will see all people united by the bonds of brotherhood, moving onward, forward, Godward. 

Godward,I say.For God and religion cannot and ought not to be kept out of this vision, even though people tend to discredit religion these days.  It is not religion that has failed us, it is we who have failed religion. We only speak religion, we don't bear witness to it in deeds of daily living, to the teachings of the great prophets. It is life that is needed, not words.

Eph. 4:2-3 " With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." It shows the unity in the body of Christ.

You may recite prayers, chant hymns and sing songs of praise; you may read from the scriptures and frequent places of worship but if you do not imbibe at least some of the wisdom, are you may write wonderful commentaries on the Bible or any other world scriptures, but if you do not reflect the wisdom of those scriptures in word and action,how are you any better than a desktop printer.

Jesus says,Mtt.5:9 " Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." he does not tell us how to become a son of God. He simply says that sons of God are in fact peacemakers. People who are peacemakers will be recognised as the sons of God at the judgment and they will be called what they are and welcomed into the Father's house.

The world today needs peacemakers, not those who merely talk of peace but those who carry peace within and transmit it to those around them. 

Selfless love is prepared to sacrifice and selfless is love is that when other person's happiness is more than yours. Let me share with you a story of selfless love. A businessman came out of his office in a high race commercial centre and crossed the street to get into his mercedes car. His driver was holding the door open for him.The man was about to get in when he saw a little boy gazing wistfully at the gleaming automobile.

Moved, the man said to the boy, "Would you like to come for a drive with me" The child's eyes lit up with excitement and he said: Thank you sir, I would love nothing better. And off they went, the man and the boy,seated comfortably at the rear and the driver at the wheel, unable to believe what was happening.

The boy ask "How much did this car cost." the boy blurted out, his eyes wide open with wonder. I don't know, said the man,flushed with embarrassment. "You see, it was a gift from my older brother". exclaimed the boy.

Where would you like to go? asked the man,after a while. I will get dropped home,said the boy eagerly. We live close by, in a hutment near the station.

Soon they reached the station. The car stopped in front of the sprawling slum. The boy turned to the man eagerly and said, Sir,could you wait here for just a few minutes. The man nodded. The boy got down from the car and vanished into the slum. But he was back in a few minutes and in his arms he carried a severely disabled child."

Look my younger brother, look this is the big beautiful car that sahib's brother gifted him" the boy told the child. "I wish to be like that brother! Then I could buy you such a car when you grow up.

The boy waved goodbye and the car moved away. Inside the plush car the rich businessman sat in stupefied silence. At long last he said to the driver, "He did not want a car like this for himself. He wanted to give it to his brother".

Build love among us.True love is selfless. And such love can bring about lasting peace.

Categories: Bible Thoughts Devotional Good Thoughts happiness jesus Motivation Perfection

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Successful Parenting

Parenting is the most important job on the planet.Giving kids whatever they ask for is disastrous parenting. It is important that we discipline children a way that teaches them responsibility. We need to motivate our children internally, to build their self esteem and make them feel loved.If our children as disciplined in this respect, they will not feel the, a need to turn to drugs, gangs or sex to feel powerful, they obey parents and elders.

Prov.22:6 "Train your children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray." This is the best known parenting verse in the Bible. There is a clear cut correlation between the way you parent and the way your sons and daughters turn out as adults.

Your Child's self esteem is greatly influenced by the quality of time you spend with him.Now a days both the parents are working. With our busy lives, we are often thinking about the next thing that we have to do. If we don't give our child Genuine Encounter Moments,he or she will misbehave. Negative attention in a child's mind is better than being ignored.

Statistics reveal that we give our children over 1000 commands. For example, if you have nagged your child about unrolling his socks that are unrolled. Action speaks louder than words.

Ways to help them feel powerful are to ask their advice, give them choices, cook a meal,help you in shop or whatever they can do it in small way.

Deut.6.6:-7 " Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise." Parents should talk about the word of God.  It's not relegated to beside prayers or after dinner devotions.Be intentional about talking to your kids about the Bible.Study it with your kids, and bring it up throughout the day.

Ask yourself what would happen if I didn't interfere in this situation. If we interfere when we don't need to, we rob children of the chance to learn from the consequences of their actions.

Children and Parents.Eph.6:1"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"-this is the first commandment with a promise."

Eph.6:4 " And, Fathers,do not provoke your children to anger,but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

If your child is testing you through a temper tantrum, it is best if you leave the room or tell the child you will be in the next room if he wants to,try again.

Never tell a child he is bad. That tears at his self-esteem. Help your child to recognise that it isn't that you don't like him, but it is his behaviour that you are unwilling to tolerate.

Parent be kind and firm at the same time. Suppose you have told your 6 year old child that if she isn't dressed by the time the timer goes off, you will pick her up and take her to the car. She has been told she can either get dressed in the car or at school.Make sure that you are loving when you pick her up, yet firm by picking her up as soon as the timer goes off without any more nagging.

Keep the future in mind.Parent in a way that keeps in mind how we want our child to be as an adult. For example, if we spank our child, he will learn to use acts of aggression to get what he wants when he grows up.

At the same time there is a definite need for parents to establish a healthy relationship with your kids.If possible,visit the school early in the year to meet with your child's teacher and administrators or principal, keep in touch with them to find your child behaviour and how he/she perform in studies and other activities in the school. At least you find out who is his close friends and their behaviour. 

Be consistent, follow through. Parents should explain their children how they brought up by your parents. How much struggle they face in their life to brought them up.They should also know the struggle you are facing in your day today life.Never think that your children should not struggle the way you struggled in life.If you have made an agreement that your child cannot buy candy when she gets to the store, do not give in to her unreasonable demands or pouting. Your child will learn to respect you more if you mean what you say.

You'll never be a hundred percent perfect parent, but you can be a praying parent. Prayer is your highest privilege as a parent. Prayer turns ordinary parents into prophets who shape the destinies of their children, grandchildren, and every generation that follows. Your prayers for your children are the greatest legacy you can leave.

Categories: Bible Thoughts Good Thoughts happiness jesus moral values Motivation

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