LOVE

Towards the end of the liturgical year, the reading all about end of the world...
why should we worry about the end of the world, we should LOVE one another, let see how :
L-listen to what God is saying to you.
O-be open to God
V-vision
E-encounter with God.
If we love one another, the world will be peace.

The "Our Father" Prayer:

Do I Really Mean What I Pray?


Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, "Praying the Our Father and living it will lead us toward saintliness. The Our Father contains everything: God, ourselves, our neighbors...."
Examine how well you live what you pray as you meditate on the following:
I cannot say OUR if I keep my faith only to myself and never share it with others.
I cannot say FATHER if I do not trust in His loving and complete concern for me, forgetting that He always answers prayers how and when He knows is best.
I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN if I am so attached to the ways of this world that I neglect to seek God first in everything.
I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME if I am unwilling to let His holiness penetrate my life and help me grow in my own holiness.
I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME if I am not using my life to bring His love into the world.
I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE if I live by my own ideas of morality or choose to follow the world’s standards.
I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN if I am not devoting my life to serving Him here on earth.
I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD if I am not willing to be generous with whatever God gives me.
I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES if I don’t want to put forth enough effort to change.
I cannot say AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US if I still hold a grudge, if I’m still angry, or if I still insist that other people change.
I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION if I deliberately or knowingly place myself in a position to be tempted.
I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL if I’m not actively fighting against evil through deeds of love and service for everyone in my life, especially those who cause problems.

Wise Up!

I fear that... I myself might be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:27

Let's take another look at Samson!

(1) He broke the rules!
The relationships he formed destroyed him. The Bible warns: "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Corinthians 6:14).
An ox and a donkey can't work in the same harness.
Why?
Because their natures are different!
When God says "no" to certain things He's not being difficult, He's being protective. Heed Him!

(2) He lived by his impulses!
He thought he was in love when he was only in heat. When confronted about his relationship choices he replied, "She pleases me well" (Judges 14:3). Before it was over he became a laughing stock. Peter writes: "Abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul" (1 Peter 2:11 ).
In war the strongest side wins, so keep your impulses in check.

(3) He misused his gift!
Samson exploited his God-given strength for personal gain. Listen to these words spoken to his Philistine buddies, concerning a bet he'd made with them: "Then you shall give me" (Judges 14:13).
God gives us gifts to fulfil His purposes, not ours. When we misuse them we end up in trouble.

(4) He was blind to his weaknesses!
You may not like to believe that your private imperfections will have public consequences, but you can't escape what you are. If Satan attacked Jesus three times in the wilderness, he's not going to give you a free pass!

Protect yourself! Satan always attacks those who are in line for God's blessing. Why does God make such a big deal of this?
Because sin hurts us, and anything that hurts one of His children makes Him angry.

The Love of God

Trusting God is a step toward the solution of any problem, because trust gives us access to the love of God, and the love of God is a harmonizing force that is mighty enough to heal any adverse situation.
The love of God expressed through us looks past all outer appearances of limitation to the good that is innate in everyone.
The love of God is compassionate, yet positive and strong. It does not resist strife and contention but dissolves them.
The love of God transforms resentment and dissatisfaction into appreciation and replaces criticism with commendation.
There is no situation so inharmonious that a realization of the love of God will not be helpful.
When things about us are disturbing, let us turn to God and divine love. Since God is part of all creation, God abides not only in us but also in our environment, our surroundings, and the circumstances of our lives.
When we have knowledge and understanding of God’s love within and around us, our entire outlook changes. We see ourselves and our world through spiritual eyes, no longer seeing disorder or inharmony but recognizing divine love and peace in the minds and hearts of all. And we express divine love, changing our world from what seems to be a world of inharmony, doubt, and fear to a world of faith, love, happiness, and fulfillment.
Know that you are a perfect expression of God’s love and that as you become more attuned to God’s love, your life will be a song of happiness. Your contacts with others will be joyous and harmonious.
The love of God will go before you and smooth your way. Wherever you go, people will be glad to see you because of your loving attitude. Whatever you do, you will do easily and successfully. Whatever you need to decide, you will decide wisely, for the love of God will open to you inner sources of wisdom and guidance. Your mind will be open and receptive to God’s love, and you will receive:
“The spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge.” —Isaiah 11:2

The love of God will keep your heart peaceful so that you can focus your attention on the harmony and happiness you desire.
The love of God, radiating through you, will bless everyone you contact. The love of God, expressing itself through you, will attract its own and draw to you many, many blessings.


“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
“Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” 1Corinthians 13

How to pray

Relax
Set aside time each day for prayer.
Begin your quiet time by relaxing your body and opening your mind to an awareness of God. Breathe deeply, knowing that you are in the presence of God and the presence of God is within you. Let go of your concerns and know that all is well.

Concentrate
As you close your eyes and release any thought of the world around you, begin to think about God … about God’s presence in your life. Focus your mind on a single thought or idea or scripture that resonates with you. Repeat this idea over and over, either silently or aloud until it becomes your only thought.

Meditate
Allow this focused state of mind to move you into a deeper awareness of God. “Be still … and know that I am God.” Be still as you connect with this divine presence within you.

Realize
From the depth of your being, know that you are one with God. This knowing, this realization as you experience God’s holy presence is “silent soul communion.” In this receptive state of mind and heart, listen for the inspiration of God, the answers to your prayers.

Give Thanks
Let gratitude be your heart’s joyous response to this experience of communion with God and with God's infinite goodness. Give thanks for blessings to come, ready to receive your good.

Spiritual Growth in Jesus Christ!

"The righteous man shall live by faith" [Galatians 3:11].

Spiritual growth results from trusting Jesus Christ.

A life of faith will enable you to trust God increasingly with every detail of your life, and to practice the following:
Go to God in prayer daily (John 15:7).
Read God's Word daily (Acts 17:11) - begin with the Gospel of John.
Obey God moment by moment (John 14:21).
Witness for Christ by your life and words (Matthew 4:19; John 15:8).
Trust God for every detail of your life (1 Peter 5:7).
Holy Spirit - allow Him to control and empower your daily life (Galatians 5:16-17; Acts 1:8).
God's Word admonishes us not to forsake "the assembling of ourselves together" (Hebrews 10:25). Several logs burn brightly together; but put one aside on the cold hearth and the fire goes out. So it is with your relationship with other Christians.

Keep Your Sense Of Humour

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter.
Job 8:21

One of the best ways to reduce stress, is to keep your sense of humour. Don't panic, don't over react, and don't use unnecessary force. If you do people will avoid you. Happy people get more done than their oh-so-serious counterparts. Actually, being joyful can make you laugh all the way to the bank. Would you rather buy a car from a stressed-out, verbally abusive salesman, or someone whose company you enjoy? Would you rather work around someone who's congenial, or someone moaning and groaning about what ought to be done?
"A cheerful heart is good medicine" (Proverbs 17:22 ).

However, keep in mind two things when it comes to humour:
(1) Make sure your humour is at no one else's expense. Avoid jokes about things others might be sensitive about. Weight, bad hair dos and cheating husbands might make some people laugh, but to others it's not funny. No one likes to be the butt of the joke. Be careful with teasing someone else. Make sure that their personality can handle your humour. It's always wise to let the joke be on you; you know you're not going to offend yourself!
(2) Remember that timing is everything. "There is a time for everything… a time to weep and a time to laugh" (Ecc 3:1, 4 ).

If people don't believe you truly care about them, your humour will produce only a shallow and strained response. Every relationship, every path you cross, every conversation you have can ultimately be used by God to further His purposes. Whether at work, at home or at play, always keep these things in mind.

Gmail - Fwd: Chinese Herbs - For General Knowledge

Gmail - Fwd: Chinese Herbs - For General Knowledge

Icebergs

Each tree is recognised by its own fruit.
Luke 6:44

The Titanic received five iceberg warnings just before it went down.When the sixth message came during the wee hours of the morning:
"Lookout for icebergs," the operator wired back "Shut-up! I'm busy!"
Thirty minutes later the great 'unsinkable' vessel was sinking fast.
What happened?
They forgot the truth about icebergs. What they saw above the water couldn't have sunk the great ship. But unfortunately most of an iceberg is below the water.
Do you know what?
That iceberg represents your life!
The 10% above the water is your reputation; the 90% below is your character. And it's what's below the surface that sinks your ship.
What is character?
(a) Self-discipline - the ability to do what's right,even when you don't feel like it. (b) Core values - principles you liveby in spite of the pressures around you.
(c) Sense of identity - aself-image based on who God, not others, says you are. (d) Emotionalsecurity - the capacity to be emotionally stable and consistent. Your life's greatest impact doesn't come from what you own, but from what you are.
Jesus said, "Each tree is recognised by its own fruit...
The goodman brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart"(Luke 6:44-45 ).
Whatever's happening today on the outside of your life comes from what's happening on the inside.
God puts "being" before "doing." He prioritises taking care of the inside (your heart) because that will determine what takes place on the outside (your behaviour).
Think about it!

Simplify Your Life

Let us lay aside every weight.
Hebrews 12:1

A stressed-out traveller at an airport was worried about missing his plane so he asked a man,
"What time is it?"
The man set down two big heavy bags, looked at his watch and said,
"Exactly 5:09, the temperature is 73, and it'll rain later. In London the sky is clear with a high of 28 Celsius. And let's see, in Singapore the sun is shining brightly.And... oh, this is interesting, the moon will be full over Los Angeles tonight."
"Your watch tells you all of that?" asked the traveller.
"Sure. In fact it tells me much more. You see, I invented this watch and I assure you there's no other time piece on earth like it."
The man said,
"I simply must have that watch. I'll give you $10,000 for it."
"Okay,"said the inventor,
"it's a deal,"
and held out his hand for the money.
The traveller grabbed the watch and put it on, smiling with delight. But before he could take a step the inventor stopped him.
"Wait!"
Then he reached down for the two big heavy bags and said,
"Don't forget the batteries!"
We hope the latest hi-tech gadgetry will be the very thing that will set our schedule free. But in the end it weighs us down, it increases our dependency on something that will eventually break or become obsolete with the next marvel of modern science. It's time we counted the hidden cost before investing more time, money and confidence in the next does-it-all watch. Those batteries get awfully heavy once the novelty has worn off. What's the message?
"Lay aside every weight."

Simplify your life, get back on track, focus - and run!

Living Unselfishly

Give without expecting a return.
Luke 6:35

If you're serious about becoming like Jesus, pay careful attention to His words: "Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them... give without expecting a return. You'll never - I promise - regret it" (Luke 6:31-35 ).
Love, expecting nothing in return.
Give, though they'll never say thanks.
Forgive, even though they won't forgive you.
Come early, stay late, invest everything you've got even though nobody notices. Paul calls this "the high calling" (Philippians 3:14). And there's a reason: none of us would set such a standard for ourselves!
If you think some people are just naturally more loving than others, think again.

Love is a choice - one that costs!
You can't love others while you're staring into a mirror or give to others while you're clinging to what you've got.
Love will cost you your time, your money and your preoccupation with self.
If you think you'll just go to church some Sunday morning, read a book or attend a 7-step seminar and turn into the kind of person we're talking about -good luck!
There are no pre-packaged saints; no "add-and-stir" formula that makes God's love gush forth.
To be loving you've got to take up your cross, deny yourself and make others your priority.
Remember the woman caught in adultery?

Jesus stooped down to reach her, stood by her under attack, then sent her home redeemed and refocused.
Do you want to be like Him?
Go and find people who are hurting, hopeless,and even wrong.
When you do, minister to them until they're redeemed,restored and right. That's living unselfishly!

"Be There!"

2 Corinthians 1:4

We can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

The loving thing we can do when someone is in pain is to share the pain- to "be there," even when we've nothing to offer except our presence, even when being there is painful to ourselves.

Paul says that God "comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." One of the fastest and surest routes to spiritual health is taking the focus off ourselves and helping others.

In fact we were born with a natural empathy for those who are hurting. Ever notice that babies in a nursery start crying when other infants cry?

Compassion, which literally means "to suffer with," is the ability to be moved by the troubles of others. When we reach out from our own pain to help others it comes back to us in healing, fulfillment and a sense of worth.

Jack Canfield says, "You take it all in. You let the pain touch your heart and you turn it into compassion. What a splendid way to go through life, bringing blessing to all we touch."

One cancer patient said, "What helps me most is just to have somebody try and understand what I'm feeling."

Another said, "Just sit here and let me hold your hand. It helps when someone's close."

Today ask God to make you more sensitive to the needs and hurts of those around you. And when He answers your prayer and puts someone into your path, don't be too busy to care.

In other words, "be there!"

Happy All Souls Day!

Romans 8:38-39
For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.