Tag Archives: bible

The Gift of Giving

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Jessica Andrews-Hanna, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology, in the College of Science, discusses in detail the psychology and neuroscience behind giving and receiving gifts. There is a decent amount of research showing that the act of giving actually makes us feel better.

The phrase “gift of giving” can refer to a spiritual gift or a general expression of generosity and kindness. It can mean the ability to cheerfully and sacrificially give of one’s resources (time, talent, and treasure) without expecting anything in return.

In the context of Christian theology, the “gift of giving” is a spiritual gift bestowed by the Holy Spirit on specific individuals. It empowers them to contribute generously to the work of God and to meet the needs of others, often going beyond the typical tithe, 10%.

Those with this gift often exhibit cheerfulness, liberality, and a desire to share their blessings, sometimes adjusting their lifestyles to give more. Examples of this gift can be seen in the Bible, such as the Macedonian Christians who gave sacrificially to others despite their own poverty.

Thoughtful and meaningful gifts, whether material or experiential, can be a powerful way to show someone you care. Even small acts of kindness and generosity can create a “warm glow of feeling” for both the giver and the recipient, fostering connection and happiness.

Such as the time at my lowest, in grad school, my advisor often said, “Jerry, let me do that for you.” In under graduate school, one of my classmates would bring me an apple and the other invited me to lunch once per week. My “landlady” would pay my tuition until my “GI Bill” check would arrive.

The act of giving can be a way to express love and appreciation, and can be a powerful way to strengthen relationships. When we were down to no car, one of my teacher friends loaned me a car.  When I tried to repay her, she would not accept it. Another time, one would pick me up from an eatery and drop me off at home.  I don’t have that relationship with men.

Evidence from brain imaging also suggests that both giving gifts and receiving gifts activate core areas of our brain associated with reward and pleasure. These brain regions also stimulate the neurotransmitter dopamine.

All in all, psychology and neuroscience suggest that giving gifts to other people can be a very rewarding phenomenon that can bring happiness to ourselves and others. What all this means is that when we are kind to others, we are, in a way, being kind to ourselves.

The Need For Closure

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Closure is defined as the act of bringing to an end. It can also refer to the feeling or act of bringing an unpleasant situation, time, or experience to an end, so that you are able to start new activities or relationships. The American Psychological Association defines closure as “the act, achievement, or sense of completing or resolving something”.

A sense of closure is not usually possible with an ambiguous loss, such as a missing person. People have not given up on missing persons from the Viet Nam Era. They are still hoping that they will find them alive, or some concrete proof of exactly what happened to them.

In the case of the death penalty, victims seeking “closure” may adopt effective strategies as diverse as retribution, on one hand, and forgiveness on the other. They want to see the person punished for their crime quickly as opposed to the length of time that normally happens.

The Bible doesn’t use the word “closure,” but it offers guidance on dealing with endings, losses, and moving forward. Biblical principles suggest that true peace comes from seeking God’s will, trusting His wisdom, and finding comfort in His promises, rather than solely relying on explanations or resolutions that satisfy our desire for under-standing.

The Bible emphasizes God’s sovereignty and His ability to work all things for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). This means that even in difficult situations where closure seems elusive, God is working behind the scenes and has a purpose.

Instead of dwelling on specific answers or resolutions, believers are encouraged to trust that God’s plans are ultimately for their benefit. Finding Peace in God’s Presence, the Bible speaks of God as a source of peace and comfort, particularly for those who are heartbroken or distressed (Psalm 34:18).

Seeking God’s presence through prayer and scripture can provide a sense of calm and strength to navigate challenging situations. When facing an ending, finding peace in God’s love and promises can be more impactful than seeking external validation or explanations.

The Bible teaches the importance of forgiveness, both forgiving others and forgiving oneself. When dealing with past hurts or mistakes, seeking God’s forgiveness and extending grace to oneself and others can be a powerful step towards healing and moving forward.

The Aim of All Christian Effort

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Humility is realizing our unworthiness, the feeling and declaring of ourselves as sinners. Because we are sinners, saved by grace. Kneeling suits, us very well as the physical posture of prayer because it illustrates humility.

Neither pride nor vanity can pray. “When pride comes, then comes shame” (Proverbs 11:2). Humility is the very life of prayer. It is a positive quality, a substantial force that energizes prayer. There is no power in prayer to rise without it.

Humility springs from a lowly estimate of ourselves and of our deserving. “Humility, not pride, comes before honor” (Proverbs 15:33). To be clothed with humility is to be clothed with a praying garment.

Prayer has everything to do with molding the soul into the image of God. It has everything to do with enriching, broadening, and maturing the soul’s experience of God. A man or woman who does not pray cannot possibly be called a Christian. Scripture speaks of Jesus praying.

Prayer is the only way the soul can enter into fellowship and communion with the source of all Christlike spirit and energy. Therefore, if he or she does not pray, they are not of the household of faith.

God is Holy in nature and in all His ways, and He wants to make us like Himself. He wants us to be Christlike. This is the aim of all Christian effort. We must therefore constantly and earnestly pray to be made Holy. “Pray without ceasing” (Thessalonians 5:17).

Not that we are to do Holy, but rather to be Holy. Being must precede doing. First be, then do. First obtain a Holy heart, then live a Holy life. And for this high and gracious end, God has made the amplest provisions in the atoning work of our Lord and through the agency of the Holy Spirit.  

The most important qualities in Christ’s estimate of the highest form of praying are unbeatable courage and stability of purpose. Even if God does not answer our prayers right away, we must keep on praying. In Matthew we have the first record of the miracle of healing the blind.

We have an illustration of how our Lord did not seem to hear immediately those who sought Him. But the two blind men continued with their petitions. He did not answer them and went into a house. The humbled ones followed Him and, finally, gained their eyesight and their plea.

The Gift of Time

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Do you ever wonder how some people are able to seemly move the earth and moon in just a few hours? It takes you three hours to get to the store and return, to purchase a loaf of bread. The store is only half mile away, you have shopped there for years, and is aware of the location of all categories in the store.

Yes, I make the same excuses. The traffic was bad and someone pulled out in front of me and I almost had a wreck. There was a long line at the checkout counter, and there was only one register in use.

Yet, I can get to a doctor’s appointment ten miles away, far more traffic and erratic drivers, with minutes to spare. Why, the office reminds me that I 285 has ongoing construction, there is an out of pocket $75.00 fee for missing appointments, and I have to reschedule if I am late.  

I have watched for years; my wife demolishes a room to rearrange it. I cringe at the sight of the unorganized mess. A couple of hours later it looks marvelous. I used to criticize her for making a mess. However, in my neatness I come up short in my accomplishments.

There are scriptures about making the most of each day. As we explore these verses, let us reflect on how we can honor God with our time. The Bible offers us wisdom and insight on how to embrace each day fully, encouraging us to live intentionally and purposefully.

Many Christians may struggle to find direction in their daily lives and might wonder how to better use their time. By meditating on God’s Word and applying these truths, we can cultivate a deeper relationship with Him and a more meaningful approach to our lives.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord our God you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3 “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15-16

Where Is God?

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This is a question that has been asked since the beginning of time. It is a question that is often asked in times like these. In other times it is asked of those who seem to think that a horrific occurrence has happened that God should have, in their opinion been stopped or prevented.  Many times, it is addressed to persons who represent the Holy. As if we are supposed to have some divine answer.

This insight also applies to times of struggle in our own lives. In times of trouble, we tend to rely upon emotions. These emotions question whether God is really there because He does not appear to be at work during our struggle.  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

God is omnipresent, He is in all places at all times.  “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” The answer is that a person can never run from God because He is ever present. Jeremiah 23:24 says, “Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.”

But if God is always present, where is God when it hurts and life is difficult? There is a tendency among Christians to view any thing unpleasant that happens to them as the result of “spiritual warfare.” When a difficulty arises, many immediately ask God to remove their distress.

At times the Bible also speaks about where God is in more specific terms. He is often mentioned as dwelling in heaven. In addition, God has revealed Himself visibly in a variety of ways. Some of these include God’s appearance to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3) and His presence with the Israelites in the wilderness.

In the New Testament, Jesus comes to earth as the second Person of the Triune God to reveal God to humanity. John 1:1 defines Jesus as the “Word” and calls Him God. John 1:14 shares, “And the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the father, full of grace and truth.” He lived, died, rose again, and ascended to the Father in heaven.

In times when God feels distant, we can continue to trust that He is there, that He loves us, and has a purpose for our lives. We can rest in His promises from His Word, knowing that His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Being Courageous

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Being courageous means having, showing, or doing with courage—the quality of being ready and willing to face negative situations involving danger or pain. No whining afterward.

Courageous can be used to describe people who have courage, or the actions of such people when they face negative situations resolutely. Since we were taught not to define a word with the word, a close synonym is brave.

Fairytales and folklore would have us believe that courage is reserved for superheroes and crusaders. But it’s simpler than that. Courage is often found in the quiet moments when no one is looking.  

It has been said that courage is the complement of fear. However, a man/woman who is fearless cannot be courageous. He/she is a fool” (Robert A. Heinlein).

“We do not develop courage by being happy every day. We develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity” (Barbara De Angelis). The Holy Bible speaks volumes about courage. It also admonishes us to get guidance from the Creator. If not, we can become pumped up, bullies, and hurt others.

“Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith produces endurance. If any of you lacks wisdom, he is to ask of God who gives it to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him/her. But he/she must ask in faith, without doubting” (I James 2:3,5,6).

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen” (Winston Churchill). A lot of us have speaking skillfulness but fall short of our listening ability. What say you?

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me “(Psalm 23:4).

“Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words “(Romans 8:26).

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).