Title: 'We All Long For Peace'

 

Title:*PEACE* 3a/Mm - Visual Prayer Art from Set by Rev.Bola A

 *PEACE*

We all long for peace.

Peace is not just safety or lack of war, violence, conflict, and contention.

Peace comes from knowing that the Savior knows who we are and knows,
 that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, 
even and especially amid life’s devastating trials and tragedies.

Remember, “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” 

For those who reject God, there is no peace. 

We all participated in the councils of heaven that provided for moral agency, 

knowing that there would be mortal pain and even unspeakable tragedy,

because of the abuse of agency.

We understood that this could leave us angry, bewildered, defenseless, and vulnerable.

But we also knew that the Saviour’s Atonement would overcome and compensate, for all of the unfairness of mortal life and bring us peace.

“To believe in God is to know that all the rules will be fair, 

and that there will be wonderful surprises.” 

What are the sources of peace?

Many search for peace in worldly ways, which never have and never will succeed.  
Peace is not found by attaining great wealth, power, or prominence. 
Peace is not found in the pursuit of pleasure, entertainment, or leisure.

None of these can, even when attained in abundance, 

create any lasting happiness or peace.

How do we stay close to the Savior?

Humbling ourselves before God, praying always, repenting of sins, 

entering the waters of baptism with a broken heart and contrite spirit, 

and becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ are profound ,

of the righteousness that is rewarded by abiding peace.

Repentance and living righteously allow for peace of conscience, 

which is essential for contentment.

When there has been a major transgression, confession is required to bring peace.

Perhaps there is nothing to compare with the peace that comes,

from a sin-wracked soul unloading his or her burdens on the Lord and,

claiming the blessings of the Atonement.

As another favorite Church hymn puts it,

 “I’ll drop my burden at his feet and bear a song away.” 

The Church is a refuge where followers of Christ attain peace.

Some young people in the world say they are spiritual but not religious.

Feeling spiritual is a good first step. 

However, it is in the Church that we are fellowshipped, taught,

 and nourished by the good word of God. 

More importantly, it is priesthood authority in the Church that provides,

 for sacred ordinances and covenants that bind families together and qualify,

 each of us to return to God the Father and Jesus Christ in the celestial kingdom.

These ordinances bring peace because they are covenants with the Lord.

“Two sets of forgiveness are required to bring peace to the transgressor—

one from the proper authorities of the Lord’s Church, and one from the Lord himself. ”

Lift up your hearts in praise to God; Let your rejoicings never cease.

Though tribulations rage abroad, Christ says, “In me ye shall have peace.”

Inner peace (or peace of mind) refers to a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace,

with enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong,

in the face of discord or stress.

Being "at peace" is considered by many to be healthy (homeostasis)and,

the opposite of being stressed or anxious.

Many spiritual practices refer to this peace as an experience of knowing oneself.

Finding inner peace is often associated with Spiritual practices and traditions.

The question of real, lasting world peace concerns human beings, 

so basic human feelings are also at its roots.  

Through inner peace, genuine world peace can be achieved.

In this the importance of individual responsibility is quite clear;

an atmosphere of peace must first be created within ourselves,

then gradually expanded to include our families,

our communities, and ultimately the whole planet.

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Researched and Compiled by Rev.Bola - 17.Nov.13

Title: *COMPASSION*

Title:*COMPASSION* Light Orb 25 /Mm - Visual Prayer Art by Rev.Bola A

'The Serenity Prayer'

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

'Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths.'
 

- Proverbs 3, 5-6

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Peace and Love

Rev.Bola

Title: *EXPERIENCING COMPASSION*

Title:*COMPASSION*Orb of Light 14b/Mm - Visual Prayer Art by Rev.Bola

*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.
A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is struck by a misfortune.

Synonyms: beneficent , benevolent , benignant , humane , good-hearted , kind , kindhearted , kindly , softhearted , sympathetic , tender , tenderhearted , warmhearted.
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. 
Hence, therefore....

'We pray for children, who stomp in puddles and ruin their pants,
and we pray for those who stomp in puddles without choice.
We pray for children whose pictures we carry in our billfolds,
and for those who stare at photographs behind bars.
We pray for children who can't find their shoes,
And for those with no shoes to find.
We pray for children who dawdle over meals,
And for those who have no meals to dawdle over.
We pray for those who put chocolate fingers on the walls,
and those who never get desserts.
We pray for those who love to have daily bread,
And for those who steal because they can't find bread.
We pray for those who straighten their rooms,
And for those with no rooms to straighten.
We pray for those whose nightmares wake us up,
And for those whose monsters are real.
We pray for those who throw temper tantrums in grocery stores,
And for those who go to bed hungry and go to sleep crying.
We pray for those who get visits from the tooth fairy,
And for those who have never seen a dentist.'

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.

The Holy Bible states.....

*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;.

'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 to others. This is difficult to do sometimes as we all struggle to show compassion for all people.

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

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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Posted by Rev.Bola

Title: *DELIGHT*

Delight is a wonderful word. Just focusing on the word 'Delight', conjures images and feelings of joy, contentment and satisfaction. One should never underestimate the power of a positive word.

Let's take a closer look at the word.  *Delight*

Title:*DELIGHT*/Mm  - Visual Prayer Art from Set by Rev.Bola

Definition and Meaning of *Delight*

It is a kind of: pleasure.

Delight is: a fundamental feeling that is hard to define; but that people desire to experience .

A feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction.

Context and examples:

 'a joy to behold' / 'the pleasure of his company' / 'the new car is a delight'.

To "delight" is one way to: gratify ; satisfy; make happy or satisfied .

What does delightful mean?

Delightful means very pleasing or happy such as: 'he was a delightful person', or 

'I'm very happy to be a part of the Dargie club'.

What other words mean the same as delightful?

Answer: lovely, pleasant, enchanting, charming, alluring, adorable, attractive, beautiful, fair, pleasing.

Delight is amusement , diversion , entertainment , fun , recreation; comfort, relief, solace, gratification, indulgence; ambrosia.

Context examples:

A joy to behold / the pleasure of his company / the new car is a delight.

Delight is: A feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction. Something or someone that provides pleasure; a source of happiness.

Additional Meanings: To take pleasure in or to provide pleasure. To give pleasure to, or be pleasing to. Such as a joy or treat.

Example of usage: 'As always, they were a pleasure to deal with.'

Delight: (noun) is something or someone that provides pleasure; a source of happiness.

            verb. To give pleasure to or be pleasing to.

Context examples: 'These colors please the senses' / a pleasing sensation.

Cause:To like, be fond of, find enjoyable or agreeable.

Delight: is taken to result from the removal of pain (caused by confronting the sublime object) and is supposedly more intense than positive pleasure.

Delight has been described as the reason for creation, by which the absolute extends its delight of being into multiplicity, losing itself in the conscience and then through delight rediscovering itself through individuals realizing their divine nature and proceeding to spiritual realization.

In the Holy Bible the word Delight has been used several times. Particularly in Psalm 119.
Here are some examples:

{Ps119:16} I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.

{Ps119:24} Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors.

{Ps119:35} Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.

{Ps119:47} I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.

{Ps119:70} Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.

{Ps119:77} Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my
delight.

{Ps119:143} Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.

Delight therefore infers an experience of heaven -
such as pleasure, joy, gratification, paradise, gladness, happiness, bliss, rejoicing, felicity, content; elation, jubilation, exhilaration, exultation; ecstasy, transport, ravishment, rapture, delirium; enchantment, charm, gaiety.

To Delight is to:
gratify, gladden, please, cheer, suit; thrill, excite, tickle, Inf. tickle pink; titillate; please highly, afford pleasure to, fill with joy, ravish; captivate, charm, enchant, entrance; transport, enrapture, enthrall, fascinate, entertain, amuse, divert, refresh.

 To Delight in, is to:
 enjoy, appreciate, love, like; relish, savor, revel in, indulge in, feast on, bask in, luxuriate in.

We may therefore conclude, that frequent meditation on the word Delight, can be of enormous advantage to one's well being.

Written by Rev.Bola A (copyright: 19.10.13 - ARR)
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Title: *Seven Steps to Biblical Revelation

Title:*ANGER Reverser* Light Orb 5/Mm - Visual Prayer Art from Set by Rev.Bola

Meditate Upon These Seven Steps

1.God Almighty, cleanse me by His (Christ's) blood:

Since encountering inspired revelation circumvents the core of biblical meditation, you must ready yourself to be led from the Holy Spirit by repenting and being cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.

You must be obedient to former revelations from God (Matt. 7:6), and confess any trespass in your life, so you are not disconnected from continued revelation (Is. 59:1,2; I Jn. 1:9).

  

2.Lord, concede me a learner's posture:

Revelation is conceded to those who observe an attitude of humbleness, and it is kept back from the arrogant and the self-important. So keep an open, humble attitude before God, permitting Him the freedom to pour forth more avid illumination on whatever thoughts you presently harbour, and to change them as He find appropriate (Jas. 4:6; II Pet. 1:19).

  

3.Lord, I will not use my faculties myself:

You'll be able to do naught of your own enterprise but solely what you learn and discover by the Spirit (Jn. 5:19,20,30). You do not have a mind to use, but a mind to lay out to God so He can employ it and satiate it with anointed understanding and divine sight (Prov. 3:5-7; Rom. 12:1,2). If you use your mind yourself, it is a lifeless exercise (Heb. 6:1,2).

  

4.Lord, I pray that the eyes of my heart might be enlightened:

Slow down as you read, reflecting on the text again and again, in your heart and mind, praying perpetually for God to afford you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the cognition of Him (Eph. 1:17,18; Ps. 119:18).

  

5.Lord, I lay out the powers to reason and to imagine for you to satiate, and course through  by Your Spirit:

Meditation implies gifting your faculties to God for Him to fill and apply. These include your left hemisphere logical thinking capabilities in addition to your right hemisphere visual capacities.

Search for the river of God (i.e. “Spirit flow”) to direct and fill both hemispheres, conceding you anointed thinking, dreams and vision (Jn. 7:37-39). Music can aid you, as can muttering, speaking, and writing as you experience the uncovering process (II Kings 3:15).

  

6.Lord, show me the answer to the trouble I am confronting:

Focused attention imparts further energies of immersion of heart and mind, which help discharge revelation. For instance, mark the difference between a ray of sunlight hitting a piece of paper, and sunlight running through a magnifying glass to hit a piece of paper. The focused energy produces a ray of light so concentrated that the paper explodes into flames. When you have a thirst to master a new understanding and discipline, that thirst, and searching essence will induce you to discover matters you would not ordinarily pick up 

(Matt. 5:6).

  

7.Thank You, God Almighty, for what You have revealed to me:

Recognizing that the revelation came from the indwelling Holy Spirit, give all the glorification to God for what has been revealed (Eph. 3:21).

May God Abide with you constantly, in all your Spiritual Endeavors.

May you experience the joy of His Almighty anointing upon your soul.

Infinite Peace and love

Rev.Bola

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Title: *RECOVERY from ANGER* - Wisdom Thoughts

Title:*ANGER Reverser* Orb of Light - Visual Prayer Art from Set by Rev.Bola

Anger can be described as a feeling of great annoyance or antagonism as the result of some real or supposed grievance; rage; wrath. Anger is an emotion commonly expressed in response to irritating, threatening, unpleasant, or frustrating situations. Anger typically manifests itself in facial expressions, body language, physiological responses (e.g. increased heart rate and pupil dilation), and sometimes in overt acts of aggression. Anger is a natural and healthy response that has evolved to enable us to deal with threats.

The Different Manifestations of Anger:- 

Rage, fury, ire, wrath, resentment, indignation  passion, outrage, temper, fury, irritation, annoyance, agitation, ire, antagonism, displeasure, exasperation, irritability, spleen, pique, ill temper, vehemence, vexation, high dudgeon, ill humor, choler.

These all denote varying degrees of marked displeasure.  

Anger, in general, is strong displeasure:
Rage and fury imply intense, explosive, often destructive emotion:
Ire is a term for anger most frequently encountered in literature:
Wrath applies especially to anger that seeks vengeance or punishment

 Resentment refers to indignant smoldering anger generated by a sense of grievance
Indignation is righteous anger at something wrongful, unjust, or evil.

As stated earlier anger is a natural emotion, but can become destructive when permitted to spiral out of control. Especially when the anger becomes a violent, bitter feeling (against someone or something). 

Anger then, is a negative feeling which often happens when a person thinks that someone or something has done something wrong, bad or which puts them in danger, and they want to stop the risk, or punish the person for what they have done.

Do you (or someone you know) find yourself sniping at your mate more frequently than usual? 
Do your children cringe when you (or someone you know) come into the room?  Are your co-workers avoiding you (or someone you know)?

 Everyone gets angry on occasion. However, how you deal with and express that rage is where the problem lies. No one can make you angry.  Just like no one can make you happy. Anger does not have to become a burden or result in disastrous outcome for your family, your friends, your co-workers, and especially for yourself.

Fortunately there are also antidotes to problematic anger as follows:-

 Calm, cheer, comfort, delight, ease, good will, happiness, joy, kindness, liking, love, peace, pleasure, agree-ability, contentment, enjoyment, good nature., forgiveness.

The first and primary antidote to anger is to get saved. 

A born again Christian is less likely to have an anger problem than one who isn't saved.

Another antidote to anger is Prayer. Prayer helps a multitude of negative conditions. The point here is to be willing and open to seeking help. We at the Christians Victorious Fellowship offer a proven 12 Step Scripture based Recovery program, that addresses and eradicates the issue of anger at it's primary cause and Spiritual root.

We show you step by step how to implement the antidotes to anger, and gain victory over it.

If you or someone you know has an issue with anger and would like additional information,  support, guidance, private counseling, life coaching, or have prayer requests then get in touch. Here is how:-

1. You may leave a comment in the 'comment box' on this site, and you will receive a response asap.

2. You may email your inquiries directly to Rev.Bola: bolaamail-church@yahoo.co.uk

3. You may get immediate help by visiting our site: Christians Victorious Fellowship and 

4. You may join us by becoming a member of our fellowship when you visit our site. 

Membership is currently FREE of charge.

Please feel free to forward this info on to others whom you think we can assist.
We particularly want to encourage the sick or disabled, and those who feel marginalized in our society.

Peace and Love
Rev.Bola
Christians Victorious Fellowship - Int
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Title: 'Wise Thought of The Day'

Title:*FORGIVENESS Orb of Light* - Visual Prayer Art by Rev.Bola Wise Thought of The Day People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, as it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.   You see, if the final analysis it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway. - Mother Teresa of Calcutta -----------------------------------------------------------------