Holy Spirit On Pentecost

Pentecost is a Greek name for Shavuot,the spring harvest festival of the Israelites,which was going on when the Holy spirit came.The disciples were together in Jerusalem after Jesus Resurrection and return to haven,fearful because he had left them. Pentecost which is celebrated on the seventh sunday (50 days) after Easter,commemorates the descent of the Holy spirit upon the twelve Apostles in the presence of mother Mary and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of weeks,as described in the Acts of Apostles.

The coming of the Holy Spirit,Acts.2:1-4 " When the day of pentecost had come,they were all together in one place.And suddenly from heaven there came a sound  like the rush of a violent wind,and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.Divided tongues,as of fire,appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages,as the Spirit gave them ability."

There are three instances described in the Bible where people received the Holy Spirit. The day of Pentecost " they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.Whereas others wondered what happened Peter knew what happened. He said " this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel where God said "I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh." No one had to tell him that he had received the Holy Spirit.

In Acts.10:44-46 " While peter was still speaking,the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word.The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles,for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God." In 19:6 "When Paul had laid his hands on them,the Holy Spirit came upon them,and they spoke in tongues and prophesied." 

In the liturgical services of the feast of pentecost,the coming of the Holy Spirit is celebrated together with the full revelation of the divine Trinity: Father,Son,and the Holy Spirit. The fulness of the Godhead is manifested with the spirit's coming to man.

Who gets the Holy Spirit?. Anyone can ask for and receive Holy Spirit into their heart as their helper and guide to the truth. God willingly gives to all who obey Him,who seek to be disciples of Jesus and follow him on the way He opened through the flesh by the power of Holy Spirit.Acts.5:32 " And we are witness to these things,and so it is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." But it is what you do through the spirit once He dwells in you that changes your life.

Rom.6:16 " Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves,you are slaves of the one whom you obey,either of sin,which leads to death,or of obedience,which leads to righteousness?. The role of the Holy Spirit is to show you truth-the sin in your flesh that needs to be eradicated, and give you the power you need to overcome sin." Again Rom.8:12-13 

"So then,brothers and sisters,we are debtors,not to the flesh,to live according to the flesh,you will die;but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,you will live."

The great vespers of pentecost features three long prayers at which the faithful kneel for the first time since Easter.To receive Holy Spirit,Trinity is one and the same. Father is the creator and not the created;Son is the created and not the creator. Holy spirit start from the Father,taken from the Son and at the same time equal to the Father.

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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.

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Religion And Spirituality

Religion can be defined as "belief in God or God's to be worshiped usually expressed in conduct and ritual" or "any specific system of belief, worship etc, often involving a code of ethics". Sprituly can be defined as " the quality or fact of being spiritual, non physical or predominantly spiritual character as  shown in thought,life etc.

The Bible teaches a way of life, which involves participation and practice. It means living a life that is compatible with a word of God, which affects everything we do.Right religious practice. Jas.1:27 "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of both Religion and Spirituality. Religion separate people, Spirituality unites them. In literature today, the term spirituality is often used interchangeably with the term 'religion'. But there are fundamental differences. First, religion can be defined as accepting a higher force and relating to it. Since ages, people have done this through prayer, rituals and various ceremonies in cultures across the world.

The true spirituality:

Gal.5:22-23 " The fruit of the spirit is 

love,joy,peace,patience,kindness,generosity,faithfulness,gentleness,and self-control. There is no law against such things." Spiritually goes one step further from mere belief in a higher force. It starts with inquiry into the nature of the divine and also dwells on the question of how one can transform one's life by knowing reality. That means, a spiritual person seeks answers about the truth of the cause of universe and links this inquiry to his own personal development to expand his perspective.

At the same time, religion is a set of beliefs and rituals that claim to get a person in a right relationship with God,and spiritually is a  focus on spiritual things and the spiritual world instead of physical/earthly things.

Second,there is a general expectation that religion helps an individual to live an ethical life and become a good human being. But this not always the case. A spiritual person, on the other hand, makes an active effort towards self-development by looking in to his emotions. When emotions are mastered, living an ethical and responsible life becomes natural.

Finally, the question arises: is a spiritual person also a religious person. A spiritual person may have no firm opinion about the cause of the universe.One's actions, therefore,are not separate from divine order. One's relationship with God becomes far deeper and penetrate every aspect of life.  

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The Power Of Prayer

The power of prayer should not be underestimated.Jas.5:16-18 "The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer for the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest". It shows God definitely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and moves in response to prayers.

In other words, prayer is an earnest hope or a wish, a request for help or expression of thanks made to God. Among all the means of salvation recommended by Jesus Christ in the Gospel, the first place is given to prayer. It is said that our prayers are so dear to God that he appointed angels to present them to him as soon a we express them.

Mtt.7:7 " Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock,and the door will be opened for you". Jesus taught and said to them. Mtt.17:20 " Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there', and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."

Praying is communicating with God. All you have to do is ask God for His help.There is power in prayer. Ps.107:28-30 " Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress; he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because, they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven". 

We learn by reading and meditating, but we obtain the grace to do it by prayer.Jesus the way to the father Jn.14:13-14 "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it." 

Present your request to God. The power of prayer has overcome enemies.Phil.4:6-7 " Do not worry about anything, but in every-thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Prayer for recovery from Grave illness.Ps.6:2 " Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror." Ps.6:9-10 " The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord accepts my prayer. All my enemies shall be ashamed and struck with terror; they shall turn back, and in a moment be put to shame."

Ask God for the wisdom and discernment to teach you how He wants you to pray and for what He wants you to pray for. Concerning Prayer He clearly mention Matt.6:6 " But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Jesus taught his disciples how to pray.Matt.6:9-13 " Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one."

Provided, Matt:14-15 "For if you forgive others their trespasses,your heavenly Father will also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." 

The prayer of a humble soul penetrates the heavens and presents itself before the throne of heavenly Father God Almighty and departs not without God's looking on it and hearing it. Families that pray together stay together then one can see the wonderful power of prayers.

Categories: Bible Thoughts Devotional Good Thoughts jesus Our God Perfection

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Why Do You Worry So Much?

Do not worry, Matt.6:25-25 " Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?. Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they"?.

Worry causes fear;anxiety,tension and stress. Worriers become sick because of all the problems that are eating into their vitals. Worry usually occurs when we find ourselves faced with a likely outcome we think will be detrimental to us. But how can we be so certain?. May be some good comes out of it as well. So why we despair and agonise over something that may actually turn out well, if not now, perhaps in the long term?.

When you begin to worry, go find something to do. Get busy being a blessing to someone; do something fruitful,Talking about your problem or sitting alone, thinking about it, does so good; it serves only to make you miserable. Above all else, remember that worrying is totally useless. Worrying will not solve your problem.      

Assured of God's help.Is.41:10 "Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand".

The most important thing is God's blessings and if you believe in yourself,  you have nothing to worry about. " Worry does not empty tommrrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength". If you want to be happy, do not dwell in the past, do not worry about the future, focus on living fully in the present. Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.

Praise for Deliverance from Trouble.Ps.34:17-19 " When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted,  and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all".

Assurance of God's protection. Ps.61:3 " For you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy".

A king once accidentally lost his little finger in an accident. His close friend and minister, however; exclaimed that it was a fine thing that had happened.  Shocked at his insensitive remark, the king dismissed him. Even then, the minister who had just lost his job remarked that his expulsion could be for his good. This puzzled the king.

Some time later, the king lost his way during an excursion in a jungle and was captured by cannibals.  They were planning to put him in the pot over the fire when they noticed he had a finger missing. An incomplete human being was unacceptable to the God's, so they released him. The king realised that losing his finger earlier had, in fact,helped save his life.

But tell me,asked the king of the minister after returning to the palace and reinstating him," what good came of your expulsion?' The minister replied,"If you had not expelled me, I would probably have accompanied you to the jungle and both of us would have been caught by the cannibals. You would have been back here safely today,but because my body is whole, I would not have!".

It shows whatever comes in your life,believe that its for good only.If you strongly believe in God, you can overcome any type of  evangalities in life. Phil.4:6-7 " Do not worry about anything,but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, which surpasses all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus".

Categories: Bible Thoughts Devotional Good Thoughts happiness jesus Motivation Our God Perfection

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