Title: *Are You Afraid To Listen To God?

 

Title:*CHRIST'S INTENT* Light Orb 13 - Spiritual Gift Box from collection painted by Rev.Bola

1. Listening to God requires faith.
Faith that God exists and that He is speaking to each
and every one of us. Read Jesus ' words in John 10:27:
'My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they
follow me'. What does this verse say to you about
hearing God's voice? Does God really talk to us?

2. Can we really hear God's voice?
We often doubt if we are hearing from God
until we learn to recognize the ways God speaks to us.
It takes patience and practice to Hear God.
As we grow in familiarity and intimacy with him,
we will be better able to hear. God communicates with us
all the time—through the beauty of creation,
the love of friends and family, and especially through
Jesus Christ.

3. Jesus was the Word of God made flesh.
His coming to earth was God conking us over the head
with the truth that we can enjoy fellowship with him.
And then, of course, he speaks to us through the Bible.
It's called 'The Word' for a good reason.
It's full of all the truth and guidance we need to live
a rich, faithful Christian life.

4. So how has God wired you and I for listening?
Does a sunset leave you breathless? The still,
small Voice is speaking--can you hear it?
Does the swell of an anthem bring tears to our eyes?
The still, small Voice is speaking.

5. How do we listen to God speak to our hearts, minds,
and wills—especially above the noise and stress of
the modern world? What is the process of discerning
God’s will? First we need to believe in God and his
moral laws and make a commitment to please him in
all that we do. Then we need to pray so that we
can experience the peace that can come only from God.

6. To believe you must have a personal experience with God.
A part of God lives inside of you. You are not God,
and never will be, but God will talk to you inside of
your mind. As you read this, you feel a gentle nudge.
That is the Spirit of God awakening. Once it matures it
is going to change the world. God is your creator,
friend and father. He wants to tell you his plan for
your life. Try to be open-minded. If you have doubts—
good, that means you are being honest with yourself.
God can handle your doubts.

7. When God speaks to you, you will know it is God-
-there will be no doubt. Of course, after the experience,
doubt will come back. That is the force of evil.
Evil doesn’t want you to communicate with God because
once you do you are going to change human history.

8. Imagine the God who knows everything about the past
and the future, who knows everything about everyone,
the God who has all the power, the God who can do anything,
imagine this God talking to you. Aren't you excited to
find out what God has to say? I know I am.

9. God has said...
"I want the world to know how much I love all things.
I am the Lord God and I created all. I am going to
do something to show the world I exist. I am going to
speak to the people. My people must learn how to hear
my voice. I yearn for deep communion with all people.
I will not remain quiet. I have a plan for each of you,
a plan that will bring you to the zenith of your creation.

10. God wants to communicate with you.
That is why you are reading this.
It is no accident that you are here.
This is a special moment in time.
God has been calling you for a long time.
God planted a seed inside of you a long time ago and
you can feel this seed awakening as you read these words.

11. When you were a child there was probably a moment
when God spoke to you and you knew it was God.
You felt God's call, but you didn't know what to do.
You have always known you were going to do something
important, but you didn't know what it was.
Growing up you tried to communicate with God,
but you kept missing something. You learned how to
pray and ask God for things, but you didn't know
how to listen for God's voice.
Now you can find out God's plan for your life.

12. To believe we must have a personal experience with God.
A part of God lives inside of you and me.
You are not God, and never will be,
but God will talk to us inside of our minds.
As you read this, you feel a gentle nudge.
That is the Spirit of God awakening.
Once it matures it is going to change the world.

13. God is our creator, friend and father.
He wants to tell us his plan for each of our lives.
Try to be open-minded. If we have doubts—good,
that means we are being honest with ourselves.
God can handle our doubts. When God speaks to you,
you will know it is God--there will be no doubt.

14. The force of evil is also in our mind
and it is at war with us. Evil is always connected to
a feeling of fear. God is connected to a feeling of peace.
Satan is the accuser. God is the comforter.
Evil seduces us into breaking God's law and then
shames us for what we did. Evil knows where we
are vulnerable. If we are afraid of being poor,
evil will tempt us with money. If we have sexual
vulnerabilities, evil will tempt us sexually.
Satan says we are stupid, ugly, no good, broken,
worthless and unlovable.

15. The goal of the Devil is to destroy our relationship with God.
Evil never wants us to communicate with God.
It will laugh at us even as we read these words.
Remember, God has more power than evil and he loves you.
You are God's child, his perfect work of art.
God offers us a wonderful free gift-
-union with him in everlasting paradise.

Posted by Rev.Bola

Title: *WHAT IS STRESS* - Series 1

*WHAT IS STRESS* - Series 1

The Stress Response (also called the fight or flight Response ) is critical during emergency situations, such as when a driver has to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. It can also be activated in a milder form at a time when the pressure's on but there's no actual danger — like stepping up to take the foul shot that could win the game, getting ready to go to a big dance, or sitting down for a final exam. A little of this Stress can help keep you on your toes, ready to rise to a challenge. And the nervous system quickly returns to its normal state, standing by to respond again when needed.

The signs and symptoms of stress overload can be almost anything. Stress affects the mind, body, and behavior in many ways, and everyone experiences stress differently. Not only can overwhelming stress lead to serious Mental and physical Health problems, it can also take a toll on your relationships at home, work, and school. 

While quick Stress relievers aren't a complete Stress Management plan in themselves, they are an excellent first line of defense against the effects of chronic Stress . This is because they can help you turn off your body's Stress response and respond to the stressors you face from a calm (or calmer), more relaxed place. This helps you to more effectively deal with what is Stress , and keep yourself healthier at the same time. Common strategies for quick Stress relief include breathing exercises or use of humor.

Of all the types of stress, changes in health from routine stress may be hardest to notice at first. Because the source of stress tends to be more constant than in cases of acute or traumatic stress, the body gets no clear signal to return to normal functioning. Over time, continued strain on your body from routine stress may lead to serious health problems , such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, anxiety disorder, and other illnesses. 

People who remain happy and healthy despite many life stresses typically have very good social support networks. Having a pet may help reduce medical problems that are aggravated by stress, including Heart Disease and high blood pressure. The more often we are exposed to these types of stressors, the more overactive our fight or flight response becomes until we find ourselves operating at fever pitch level, constantly prepared for battle, perceiving potential threats everywhere. That is why people who are over stressed not only show physiological symptoms such as high blood pressure , rapid heart rate or shallow fast breath; they can seem overly sensitive or aggressive. Today many of us don’t take enough physical exercise to ‘burn off’ the effects of our response and we’re left with stress build up. We learn to control our reactions, but this does not counteract the stress response.

 

Stress is actually a normal part of life. At times, it serves a useful purpose. Stress can motivate you to get that promotion at work, or run the last mile of a marathon. But if you don't get a handle on your stress and it becomes long term, it can seriously interfere with your job, family life, and health. More than half of Americans say they fight with friends and loved ones because of stress, and more than 70% say they experience real Physical and emotional Symptoms from it.

Whilst a lack of stress means your body is under-stimulated, stress that is too intense or prolonged, causes your body to release stress hormones over a long period. This increases the risk of a range of physical health problems including headaches, stomach upsets and high blood pressure. It can even increase the risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

Stress can be difficult to define because it is so different for each of us. A good example is afforded by observing passengers on a steep roller coaster ride . Some are hunched down in the back seats, eyes shut, jaws clenched and white knuckled with an iron grip on the retaining bar. They can t wait for the ride in the torture chamber to end so they can get back on solid ground and scamper away. But up front are the wide-eyed thrill seekers, yelling and relishing each steep plunge who race to get on the very next ride . And in between you may find a few with an air of nonchalance that borders on boredom. So, was the roller coaster ride stressful?

It is not only unpleasant events that can be stressful . Almost any change in circumstances can cause stress - as we readjust. If possible, it is wise to not have too many changes in life at the same time. Stress is not a medical diagnosis, but severe stress that continues for a long time may lead to a diagnosis of depression or anxiety, or more severe mental health problems.

In the case of  Meditation, the deep rest that it provides during the practice reduces activation of the sympathetic nervous system—which, in turn, dilates the blood vessels and reduces stress hormones , such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol . This very deep rest dissolves deep rooted stress and fatigue. As a result, it has been found that Meditation reduces day to day stress , anxiety and depression.

Mental health issues, including Stress , Anxiety and Depression , are the reason for one-in-five visits to a GP. Many different things can cause stress -- from physical (such as fear of something dangerous) to emotional (such as worry over your family or job.) Identifying what may be causing you stress is often the first step in learning how to better deal with your stress.That is why Stress management is so important. Stress management gives you a range of tools to reset your alarm system. Without Stress management, all too often your body is always on high alert. Over time, high levels of Stress lead to serious health problems. Don t wait until Stress has a negative impact on your health, relationships or quality of life. Start practicing a range of Stress management techniques today. 

Studies revealing the relationship between the immune system and the central nervous system indicate that stress can alter the function of the white blood cells involved in immune function known as lymphocytes and macrophages. People undergoing stressful life events , such as marital turmoil or bereavement, have a weaker lymphoproliferative response. People in distressed marriages have also been shown to have greater decreases in cellular immunity functioning over time when compared to those in happier marriages.The adrenal glands are found on top of your kidneys - they secrete epinephrine (otherwise known as adrenaline ) and other stress hormones . The activity of your adrenal glands is crucial to your mood, energy levels and ability to cope with stress .

Stress is not always a bad thing. Some people thrive on stress and even need it to get things done. 

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Posted by Rev. Bola A. { 21.May.2014 – ARR}

Title: *UNITY* - Poem From The Life Lessons Series

Title: *UNITY* 11/WCol - Visual Prayer Art from Set by Rev.Bola

*UNITY*

I'm learning to understand unity

And I'm learning to suspend judgement and criticism

And I'm learning to have compassion

Not alienate people, when I am different to them

And I'm learning to tolerate more

And I'm learning not to jump to conclusions

And I'm learning (though it sometimes really hurts me)

Not to close my heart

And I'm learning to have faith

When I become disillusioned

And I'm learning that it's much

Much easier to be calm and patient

Even under pressure.

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Poetry by Rev.Bola

(copyright 29.09.09 - ARR)

Title: *COMPASSION*

 Title: *COMPASSION*Orb of Light/ 17 - from Set Painted by Rev.Bola

 *COMPASSION*

Synonyms:- 

Beneficent , benevolent , benignant , humane , good-hearted , kind , kindhearted , kindly , softhearted , sympathetic , tender , tenderhearted , warmhearted.

A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is struck by a misfortune. As many of us have witnessed or experienced firsthand, there is much pain and suffering in the world. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people.

Compassion is neither empathy nor sympathy, but requires both.
Empathy involves responding to another person's emotions with emotions that are similar. Sympathy entails feeling regret for another person's suffering
Compassion, on the other hand, is caring about another person's happiness as if it were your own. 


More involved than simple empathy, compassion commonly gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another's suffering. It is often, though not inevitably, the key component in what manifests in the social context as altruism. In ethical terms, the various expressions down the ages of the  Golden Rule often embodies by implication the principle of compassion: 
Do to others what you would have them do to you.
 
At the same time, it is emphasized that in order to manifest effective compassion for others it is first of all necessary to be able to experience and fully appreciate one's own suffering and to have, as a consequence, compassion for oneself. 

You may argue it is impossible to eliminate suffering, and maybe it is, yet we're to respond anyway. Empathy, as most people know, is the ability to put oneself in the other person's place. For example, instead of assuming that the reason someone has done something that hurts you is because they are selfish or inconsiderate, assume instead that they had a good reason for doing it.

I went about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother. But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Those words mean to show mercy in most of the Old Testament readings. To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;.

The word pity is not one that many of us say and have a good feeling about.

Many people use both words to explain the same emotion.

It is a word that is often associated with distressing circumstance or emotion. Empathy is when you try to understand how the particular individual may be feeling. You may very well imagine yourself in the same situation, developing in your mind the same emotions as the person you are feeling empathy for.

Although you feel the same emotions, you do not take actions on your feelings; you do nothing to alleviate the emotions of the person you are feeling empathy for. If a person is distressed you want to provide the individual with comfort; you want to take action to ensure a positive outcome.

If we know of someone who has experienced the bereavement of a loved one we will instantly express our sorrow at their loss. We will remember what it was like when we lost a loved one; we will identify with our personal experiences and relate them to the person who has recently been bereaved.

This is showing empathy to the individual, it is a passive emotion that requires us to take no action.

Empathy is seen as a passive emotional response.

Feeding the hungry, healing the sick, God not slaying Cain after Cain slew able, all of these are examples of compassion.

Compassion surely comes from our heart and is an expression of our unselfishness when we genuinely share as a result of wanting to truly alleviate another from their pain.

Genuine compassion is based not on our own projections and expectations, but rather on the rights of the other. That is to say, one must understand the nature of the suffering from which we wish to free others this is wisdom, and one must experience deep intimacy and empathy with other sentient beings this is loving kindness ".

Wisdom and compassion are sometimes compared to two wings that work together to enable flying, or two eyes that work together to see deeply. Compassion as Training In Buddhism, the ideal of practice is to selflessly act to alleviate suffering wherever it appears.

The definition of compassion is the ability to understand the emotional state of another person or oneself.

Often confused with empathy, compassion has the added element of having a desire to alleviate or reduce the suffering of another.

Although compassion and empathy are two separate things, having compassion for someone can lead to feeling empathy for another person.

Although the above is the accepted definition of compassion, I believe that having compassion for someone involves more than putting yourself in their place and genuinely wanting to understand or even help them.

Compassion definition, a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. Compassion involves more than putting yourself in another's place.

He has made His wonders to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and compassionate.

As Christians, we are to follow the example of our savior, Jesus Christ, and show compassion on others. This is difficult to do sometimes as we all struggle to show compassion for all people.

Those who understand the common method of life that no one lives rosily and problems are bound to hurt others; then will one gain the perception of compassion.

It is easy to show compassion for certain people, but everybody has people in their lives that they struggle to show compassion towards. I encourage you to pray that God will convict your heart to have compassion for all people.

To me, Compassion is about taking notice of a very significant part of this world: Others.

There is a Greek word translated to English as compassion from the New Testament where it means to be moved in the gut and that is in regards to it causing an emotion of feeling that moves us to do something.

Even if we are to entertain what is or is not part of compassion for us, we need to remain open to hear what is said and to let everyone be our teacher.

Starting in our home Do we have compassion for those closest to us? Compassion does not mean doing for someone else what they can do for themselves.

Although thought of as the same, Empathy and Compassion are different forms of the same emotion. Empathy and Compassion require you to imaginatively experience the same feelings as the person or situation in question.

If we show the individual compassion for their loss, not only will we understand and identify with the same feelings, but we will want to take some kind of action to alleviate their pain.

Compassion is a word used to express the same feeling as empathy.

 Yet when you feel compassion, you have more of a desire to take action.

Compassion is an emotion which calls for action. It's not passive - it's not empathy alone - but rather an empathetic altruism that actively strives to free others from suffering.

Empathy vs Compassion When using the words of empathy and compassion,

it is many peoples conception that they are of the same meaning.

God is goodness But the best name for God is compassion.

If you want others to be happy , practice compassion.

Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.

 A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward.

  
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Researched, Compiled and Posted by Rev.Bola A. - 4.May.2014