WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR …..?

By jules beaulac

What is the good of being powerful

if you crush the weak?

What is the good of knowledge

if you use it to deceive the ignorant?

What is the good of being rich

if you make the poor more wretched?

Power is given,

not to enslave others

but to serve!

Knowledge is given,

not for oneself

but for others!

Riches are given,

not to heap up money

but to share!

He has pulled down princes from their thrones

and exalted the lowly! (Luke 1:52)

He has filled the hungry with good things,

the rich sent empty away (Luke 1:53)

THE INTERVIEW WITH GOD

I dreamed I had an interview with God.

“So you would like to interview me”? God asked.

“If you have time” I said.

God smiled.

“My time is Eternity”.

“What questions do you have in mind for me?”

“What surprises you most about humankind?”

God answered.

“That they got bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again!”

“That they lose their health to make money…and then lose their money to restore their health!!!”

“That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present; such that they live in neither the present nor the future”

“That they live as if they will never die, and die as though they had never lived.”

God’s hand took mine and we were silent for awhile. And then I asked,

“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons you want your children to learn?”

“To learn they cannot make anyone love them. All they can do is let themselves be love”

“To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others.”

“To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.”

To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in those they love, and it can take many years to heal them.”

To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.”

“To learn that there are people who love then dearly, but simply do not yet know how to express or show their feelings.”

“To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.”

“To learn that it is not enough that they forgive one another, but they must also forgive themselves.”

“Thank you for your time.” I said humbly.

“Is there anything else you’d like your children to know?”

God smiled and said

“Just know that I am here.”

“Always”.

 

PRACTICE GIVING WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED

Give in any form you like - cash, kind or just by giving a blessing or praying for someone

There are three kinds of service:

First: material service, e.g., Helping others with money, food, clothes, medicines, etc.

Second: physical services or service with the body e.g., cleaning places, carrying water, serving food, etc.

Third: service with the mind, e.g., Giving good wishes, sending good vibrations, prayer to God about the welfare of others, etc. In the context of subtlety, service with the mind is the highest service: nothing can be compared with that. It is a concealed service and cannot be noticed by others. Service with the mind brings in immense bliss that is superior to material pleasures. A jiva who sends good wishes or vibrations to others, also helps himself. The good wishes or vibrations that are sent out influence others and affect the sender in return. He who is without good wishes is farther from God. If you wish your wellbeing, you must wish others well.

by:Dr Hari Rochaldas

QUESTION YOUR EXISTENCE

We all seek answers, without asking the right questions. Ask if the proof of your existence is merely a rising and falling breath, persistent pangs of hunger, and beads of sweat that sprout on your brow. If you are told that you exist in spite of all these, that you are not the one who ages and dies, do not believe. Question it. Believe only your experience, your own truth. Never borrow understanding. Invoke our own! Question incessantly the plight of being encased in folds of flesh, torn by polarities, chased by ghosts of empty ambition. Be not game to this futile game of wits anymore. Inquire persistently what your purpose is. For once, know who you really are, why are you here, and where do you belong. Discover your origins. It is true that you are timeless. So also is true that your stay on this planet is timed; because till the illusion of time exists, time exists. To pierce this illusion, there is very little time! Hasten to set yourself free. Like a horse with blinkers who sees only one goal ahead, focus all your seeking at the sole burning quest for self-knowledge. Ask only this one question, till the knowledge finally exudes in your being, that you were, will always be.

“In this world where nothing is real, play with images!”

rachna singh

SATAN'S MEETING: (Read even if you're busy)

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.

In his opening address he said,

"We can't keep Christians from going to church."

"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth."

"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their savior."

"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken."

"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.."

"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:

"Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.

"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."

"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty life! ! styles."

"Keep them from spending time with their children."

"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"

"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."

"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly."

"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."

"Pound their minds°with the news 24 hours a day."

"Invade their drkving moments with billboards."

bFlood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter qnd promtional offering free products, services and false hopes.."
"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. "

"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."

"Give them headaches too! "

"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere."

"That will fragment their families quickly!"

"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas."

"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."

"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."

"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."

"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead."

"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"

"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. "

"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus."

"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."

"It will work!"

"It will work!"

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.

Having little time for their God or their families.

Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?

You be the judge!!!!!

Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?

Please pass this on, if you aren't too BUSY!

I don't think I know 10 people who would admit they love Jesus.

Do You Love Him?

Resist The Devil

By Rick Warren

After we have humbled ourselves and submitted to God, we are then told to defy the Devil. The rest of James 4:7 says, “Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.” We don’t passively resign ourselves to his attacks. We are to fight back.

The New Testament often describes the Christian life as a spiritual battle against evil forces, using war terms such as fight, conquer, strive, and overcome. Christians are often compared to soldiers serving in enemy territory.

How can we resist the Devil? Paul tells us, “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” The first step is to accept God’s salvation. You won’t be able to say no to the Devil unless you’ve said yes to Christ. Without Christ we are defenseless against the Devil, but with “the helmet of salvation” our minds are protected by God. Remember this: If you are a believer, Satan cannot force you to do anything. He can only suggest.

Second, you must use the Word of God as your weapon against Satan. Jesus modeled this when he was tempted in the wilderness. Every time Satan suggested a temptation, Jesus countered by quoting Scripture. He didn’t argue with Satan. He didn’t say , “I’m not hungry,” when tempted to use his power to meet a personal need. He simply quoted Scripture from memory. We must do the same. There is power in God’s Word, and Satan fears it.

Don’t ever try to argue with the Devil. He’s better at arguing than you are, having had thousands of years to practice. You can’t bluff Satan with logic or your opinion, but you can use the weapon that makes him tremble –the truth of God. This is why memorizing Scripture is absolutely essential to defeating temptation. You have quick access to it whenever you’re tempted. Like Jesus, you have the truth stored in your heart, ready to be remembered.

If you don’t have any Bible verses memorized, you’ve got no bullets in your gun! I challenge you to memorize one verse a week for the rest of your life. Imagine how much stronger you’ll be.

 

TEN THINGS GOD WON’T ASK ON THAT DAY

1. …God won’t ask what kind of car you drove. He’ll ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.
2. …God won’t ask the square footage of your house; He’ll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3. …God won’t ask about the clothes you had in your closet; He’ll ask how many you helped to clothe.
4. …God won’t ask what your highest salary was, He’ll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5. …God won’t ask what your job title was, He’ll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6. …God won’t ask how many friends you had. He’ll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
7. …God won’t ask in what neighborhood you lived, He’ll ask how you treated your neighbors.
8. …God won’t ask about the color of your skin, He’ll ask about the content of your character.
9. …God won’t ask why it took you so long to seek salvation. He’ll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of hell.
10. …God won’t have to ask how many people you forwarded this to, He already knows your decisions.

I received this from someone who thinks I am a ‘keeper’, so I’ve sent it to the people I thing of in the same way… Now it’s your turn to send this to those people that are “keepers” in your life.
Good friends are like stars….you don’t always see them, but you know they are always here.
Keep them close!

By: Chandru Gidwani

• The person who has never felt the hand of sorrow has never really lived, for sorrow is the master-key to the gateway of one’s soul – the port of entrance to Infinite Intelligence. – N. Hill
• Nothing can be gained in the absence of suffering. Is there a mother who delivers a child without pains? She obtains a precious gift only when she bears suffering. Saints and prophets have risen through suffering. Why should we avoid suffering?
• “Suffering is the primeval stuff; it is the guide on the spiritual path and is like the visa for the journey to the Lord. Suffering is synonymous with love; it is another name for love. It must be assumed that the Lord is made of suffering and we can realize him only when we accept suffering.
Suffering is peerless and beyond praise. Take the example of the rose. The Lord has granted it a high status among flowers, but only after its acceptance of the company of thorns. Rose garlands are offered to saints. Likewise, if a seeker accepts suffering, the Lord grants him a high status.”
It is true that where there is love there is suffering also. Love is mixed in suffering as cream in milk. Love and God are one. Therefore suffering is where God is. As Shah Abdul Latif has said:

“It is never heard,
God is realized without suffering.”

Look at the accounts of various saints, lovers, fakirs and you will find that none has realized God without suffering. God can be realized only if one accepts suffering. Suffering is excellent and highly beneficial. –Dr Rochaldas
• The world is full of suffering. Birth is suffering; so is ild age; sickness and death is suffering, too. To meet a man whom one hates is suffering, to be separated from a beloved one is suffering, to be vainly struggling to satisfy one’s needs is suffering. In fact, life that is not free from desire and passion is always involved with distress. This is called the truth of suffering. – Book on Budhism
• Suffering is the guide to spiritualism and to God-realization. It is wrong to underrate the importance of suffering, and to say that suffering is not desirable. As with any birth, the birth of a Jiva is the result of labour pains; he is the product of suffering. He cannot avoid suffering. It is always with him from birth to death. He has to sustain that. It is only when a Jiva cheerfully accepts suffering that he can realize God. –Dr Rochaldas
• It is natural in this world of suffering for people to think and act selfishly and egoistically and, because of it, it is equally natural for suffering and unhappiness to follow.
• People favour themselves and neglect others. People let their own desires run into greed and lust and all manner of evil. Because of these they must suffer endlessly.
• Actually, problems are a sign of life! In fact the more problems, the more you are a part of life. The only place I’ve ever been where people have no problems is a cemetery and there they are all dead. Be glad that God trusts you with some problems. Thank him for the compliment. He believes you have what it takes to handle them.- Norman Vincent Peale
• Suffering, longing, yearning, ardour, uneasiness and restlessness for meeting the Lord constitute anguish. The thirsting desire, choking eagerness to meet the beloved is called anguish. A ‘jiva’ can gain nothing so long as he does not develop anguish for meeting the beloved. Anguish must arise first. It helps in progress towards the Lord. Anguish is very much liked by the Lord.- Dr Rochaldas
• The emotion of sorrow refines the souls of those who experience it, and gives them courage and faith to meet the trials and tribulations of struggle in a world of confusion and chaos, provided always that sorrow is accepted as a benefit and not as a curse. Resentment of sorrow causes the development of stomach ulcers, high blood pressure and general unfriendliness from other people.- N. Hill
• Sorrow has revealed to the world geniuses who never would have been recognized except for its deep, soul-searching effects.



THE KEY AND THE BIBLE

DO NOT FORGET TO MEDITATE AND PRAY


There was a young man who was about to graduate from college. In a span of many months prior to his graduation, he dreamed of owning one very beautiful sports car that he saw on display in a dealer’s showroom at Makati. Since he knew that his father could afford buying it, (his father was a very successful businessman anyway) he told his father that this was what he wanted as a gift on the day of his graduation.

Graduation day arrived for the young man. He woke up very early. You can tell that he is very excited. Thoughts of a very beautiful,, shiny red sports ca kept playing on his mind. He was hoping that if he went to the garage, he would be able to catch a glimpse of his dream car already parked inside. He hurried to the garage, but he didn’t see any car inside. With a great feeling of disgust, he returned to his room. However, he did not lose hope. He said to himself, “Maybe my dad will bring his gift of a new car later, after all he does love surprises.”

Not long after he retuned to his room, his father called out to him. Whispering to himself, he said: “Maybe now he will give me the keys to the car and tell me where it is!” He approached his father, and his father embraced him so tightly and told him: “You know my son, I am very proud of you. You’re such a fine son and I love you so much.” At the same time, his father gave him his present, which was so wonderfully wrapped.

Because the young man was very curious, he opened the gift and out came a very beautiful leather Bible, on the cover of which his name was prominently embossed. Instead of being pleased, the young man expressed his disappointment and told his father: “You are so rich, and all you can give me is a Bible!” Stamping his feet in anger, he left. After the graduation ceremony, the young man, because of his great displeasure, packed his things and ran away.

After a few years, the young man became successful and was able to establish his own business. He was able to erect his house, own a luxury car, had a wife and three kids. It was then that he remembered of his father. He said to himself, “Dad is already old now I’m sure, maybe I should go and see him.” They hadn’t seen each other since his graduation.

But before he could prepare his things to go home and visit his father, he received a telegram saying that his father had just passed away, and that he was to inherit all his property. For the first time in his life he felt so depressed and so bereaved. It was when he so eagerly wanted to see his father that he passed away. He was beset by great sorrow but he knew he had to go back home to arrange everything especially his father’s funeral.

When he arrived at the house of his father, he couldn’t keep himself from crying. He would have liked to ask forgiveness from his father and tell him that he loved him, but his father could no longer hear him. But he said this anyway, while he cried, his arms wrapped around his father’s coffin.

After the funeral, he thought of entering his father’s bedroom. One by one he looked carefully at his father’s favorite things. He saw his father’s favorite hat; the jacket he used to wear when it was cold; the rocking chair his father would often sit in while taking a rest after eating. There was also a picture hanging on the wall, the two of them, father and son, riding a horse when he was only seven years old.

In searching through the important documents left by his father, he came across the Bible which was still gift-wrapped just like it was, several years ago on the day of his graduation. Tears fell as he opened the Bible because memories of that day flashed back – how he, because of his disgust, did not give importance to his father’s gift. He saw a verse in that Bible which his father underlined in Matthew 7:11, which goes:
“If you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

After reading the verse, he was about to close the Bible when something fell on the floor. When he looked , it was a key to a car that was taped to the back of the Bible. That was the key of his father’s gift on the day of his graduation.

MORAL LESSON

Many times in our life, we don’t immediately see or understand the goodness of God because we don’t take time to pray and meditate. Sometimes we even become discontented with Him because what He gives us may seem to be different from what we really want. There are times when we go on trials and think that God is angry with us. What the great Apostle Paul said is really true, “ all things work together for good to those who love God…” Romans 8:28. We just need to learn how to read the events that are happening in our lives.

-Villamor S. Quebral

 

The Love Story

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.

Ah the beauty of God’s creation is beyond description.

As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work.

As I sat there, I felt the Lord’s presence with me.

He asked me,

“Do you love me?” I answered, “Of course, God!

You are my Lord and Savior!”

Then He asked, “If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?”

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest

Of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn’t be able to

Do the things that I took for granted. And I answered,

“It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You.”

Then the Lord said,

“If you were blind, would you still love my creation?”

How could I love something without being able to see it?

Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still

Loved God and His creation.

So I answered, “It’s hard to think of it, but I would still love you.”The Lord

Then asked me, “If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?”

How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood.

Listening to God’s Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts.

I answered, “It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word.”

The Lord then asked,

“If you were mute , would you still praise my Name?”

How could I praise without a voice?

Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul.

It never matters what we should like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words

Of thanks. So I answered, “Though I could not physically sing. I would still praise Your Name.”

And the Lord asked,

“Do you really love Me?” With courage and a strong conviction, I answered

boldly, “Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!”

I thought I had answered well, but….God asked,

“Then why do you sin?”

I answered, “Because I am o