Dear Friends
One thing that encourage me in life is that no matter how bad things happens to a life of a christian, always remember that the bible says:" Everything that happens to you is meant for good and no other more except the term:" For Good".. because God meant it for good.. One example is it doesn't make sense to hear about the message of the crucifixion of Christ but God the father allowed it to saved us all so it was meant for good.
There are so many things we want in life and we want it to improve so we do everything to improve it but if we really can't, Don't be discourage because no one is perfect in this world and most of all it is still is meant for good cause God controls all even your future so he sees.
Pastor Rick Warren is the author a very famous book entitled:"The Purposed Driven Life" and many other books that is originally accepted to be a noble Prize award and very known in the whole world but despite of Rick's fame, we don't know the other side of his life that he had experienced tremendous pain, sorrow & despair as it is allowed by God whether good or bad because whatever happens in our life even in the utmost sphere of being none sense or shall we say it:"It never make sense at all".. like illnesses, Divorce,Tragic & fatal car accidents, Murder like the murder of Jesus Christ when He was Tortured until death on the cross; frustration, cancer, death of love ones and many other more painful realities in our lives are but allowed by God for a purpose and God allowed everything to be meant for good to a life of a believer who seeks the Lord Jesus Christ day after day.
Rick Warren's wife had cancer and they were so down according to rick because they are at the same time handling a huge number of people in the church as a pastor but later, her wife's cancer was healed and then after a year or more her wife became the director of a cancer foundation; therefore it is very purpose driven as God uses that cancer which does not make sense in order to let Rick warren's wife lead and preach and encourage millions of cancer patients in that foundation & eventually in the whole world that there is HOPE in the midst of Pain as those hopeless patients believes in her as she suffers the same so she gave a great Testimony.
The question is :Is there anything in your life that doesn't make sense with you today? well, always remember God uses everything to be meant for good even it doesn't make sense because there is a purpose whatever happens to you"...
For every grief, for every trial,
for every weary, lonely mile,
there is a reason.
For every pain that we must bear,
for every sorrow, every care,
there is a reason.
But if we trust God as we should,
all will work out yet for our good,
God knows the reason.
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, There is FREEDOM"..
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Why is Fasting very significant in our Lives? and what is the bible saying about it?
Why is Fasting very significant in our Lives?
Fasting is not a sacrifice nor penance as you can no longer add what Christ has done for u by dying a very shameful death by cruxifixion on the cross 2000 years ago because of His great Love for you and me but fasting is an act of humbling ourselves and seeking God desperately in prayers & mediatation of God's word.
Scripture does not command Christians to fast. God does not require or demand it of Christians. At the same time, the Bible presents fasting as something that is good, profitable, and beneficial. The book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:2; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious about our relationship with Him. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything given up temporarily in order to focus all our attention on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when fasting from food. Extended periods of time without eating can be harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to punish the flesh, but to redirect attention to God. Fasting should not be considered a “dieting method” either. The purpose of a biblical fast is not to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. Anyone can fast, but some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics, for example). Everyone can temporarily give up something in order to draw closer to God.
By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can more successfully turn our attention to Christ. Fasting is not a way to get God to do what we want. Fasting changes us, not God. Fasting is not a way to appear more spiritual than others. Fasting is to be done in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude. Matthew 6:16-18 declares, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Even though fasting was a tradition, not a commandment, it was an important part of the Jewish religion and was also practiced by the early Christians, so it is mentioned many times in the Bible. For example, Zechariah mentions a public fast in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth month (Zech. 8:19); Jesus mentions fasting in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:16-18); the Day of Atonement is called the “Fast” (Acts 27:9); and the early Christians fasted (Acts 13:1-3). Please join our Annual Parayer & Fasting at www.victorygreenhills.org & check my blog in http://rickpila.blogspot.com/
Fasting is not a sacrifice nor penance as you can no longer add what Christ has done for u by dying a very shameful death by cruxifixion on the cross 2000 years ago because of His great Love for you and me but fasting is an act of humbling ourselves and seeking God desperately in prayers & mediatation of God's word.
Scripture does not command Christians to fast. God does not require or demand it of Christians. At the same time, the Bible presents fasting as something that is good, profitable, and beneficial. The book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:2; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious about our relationship with Him. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything given up temporarily in order to focus all our attention on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when fasting from food. Extended periods of time without eating can be harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to punish the flesh, but to redirect attention to God. Fasting should not be considered a “dieting method” either. The purpose of a biblical fast is not to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. Anyone can fast, but some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics, for example). Everyone can temporarily give up something in order to draw closer to God.
By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can more successfully turn our attention to Christ. Fasting is not a way to get God to do what we want. Fasting changes us, not God. Fasting is not a way to appear more spiritual than others. Fasting is to be done in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude. Matthew 6:16-18 declares, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Even though fasting was a tradition, not a commandment, it was an important part of the Jewish religion and was also practiced by the early Christians, so it is mentioned many times in the Bible. For example, Zechariah mentions a public fast in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth month (Zech. 8:19); Jesus mentions fasting in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:16-18); the Day of Atonement is called the “Fast” (Acts 27:9); and the early Christians fasted (Acts 13:1-3). Please join our Annual Parayer & Fasting at www.victorygreenhills.org & check my blog in http://rickpila.blogspot.com/
Monday, December 27, 2010
What is a TRUE Gift? Especially at Christmas?
The Gift That Started It All . . .
The busy days are gone. Roads are not that busy anymore, less traffic and less people in the town. Gifts given, gifts received. Why do we actually give gifts at Christmas? Some believe giving gifts at Christmas started with the Wise Men who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus.Others cite the legend of St. Nicholas, who liked bringing toys to boys and girls. But actually, giving a gift at Christmas started with GOD ...when He gave His one and only Son (John 3:16).
Many of us would buy gifts for someone because we have to-the Kris kringle thing (Manito, Manita) or because of the white elephant thing or maybe because we want to reward that person for being good or doing a great job. Know the song Santa Claus Is Coming to Town? The verse says-
"He's making a list and checking it twice; Gonna find out who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good,so be good for goodness sake! "
Christmas is not about punishing or rewarding. It's about GIVING- GRACE (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Think for a minute, Why do we give gifts to our family at Christmas? Yes, it's a tradition, but the bottom line is our desire to see our loved ones' face light up when they open the gift to find something they like, right? And this is very true with our Abba Father. He desires to bless us, to give us gifts, to shower us with His unconditional love.
What do you say makes a gift a really good gift? How big it is? How pretty it’s wrapped ?How long it took the giver to purchase it? How much it cost?
Today, the Gift that started it all IS there in your room, in your office, or even in your computer room! It 's the best gift one could have. It’s wrapped up with your name on it, awaiting your acceptance, awaiting you to receive it and open it up. Of course, the Gift has a name: His name is JESUS.
Have you opened it yet? (",)
The busy days are gone. Roads are not that busy anymore, less traffic and less people in the town. Gifts given, gifts received. Why do we actually give gifts at Christmas? Some believe giving gifts at Christmas started with the Wise Men who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus.Others cite the legend of St. Nicholas, who liked bringing toys to boys and girls. But actually, giving a gift at Christmas started with GOD ...when He gave His one and only Son (John 3:16).
Many of us would buy gifts for someone because we have to-the Kris kringle thing (Manito, Manita) or because of the white elephant thing or maybe because we want to reward that person for being good or doing a great job. Know the song Santa Claus Is Coming to Town? The verse says-
"He's making a list and checking it twice; Gonna find out who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good,so be good for goodness sake! "
Christmas is not about punishing or rewarding. It's about GIVING- GRACE (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Think for a minute, Why do we give gifts to our family at Christmas? Yes, it's a tradition, but the bottom line is our desire to see our loved ones' face light up when they open the gift to find something they like, right? And this is very true with our Abba Father. He desires to bless us, to give us gifts, to shower us with His unconditional love.
What do you say makes a gift a really good gift? How big it is? How pretty it’s wrapped ?How long it took the giver to purchase it? How much it cost?
Today, the Gift that started it all IS there in your room, in your office, or even in your computer room! It 's the best gift one could have. It’s wrapped up with your name on it, awaiting your acceptance, awaiting you to receive it and open it up. Of course, the Gift has a name: His name is JESUS.
Have you opened it yet? (",)
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Is Tithing's Real as "God said:"Test me" and will I not blessed you where no more roomss for you to contain in Malachi 3:10
Dear Sir/madam:
GREETINGS!
This letter is for those so-called Christians I read in my research about accusing Malachi 3:10 and worse accusing pastors and churches who encourage tithing's to their members so they will be blessed but these so called Christians accused our church of making a blackmail that if Christians won't give tithes then they will be curse cause they rob God....OF COURSE NOT CAUSE SINCE I GAVE TITHES IN 2006 I NEVER BEEN IN LACK UNTIL TODAY AS GOD SAID "TEST ME"..IN TITHING'S and WILL I NOT GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN HAVE....amen
When you say that blessings in the old covenant such as abundant herds and crops means not money the Holy spirit inspire me to tell you are very wrong. Abundance cannot be spent if it isn't be in a form of cash then how can you claim to say that God blessed you abundantly if that blessing cannot be used as it is not money as u mentioned earlier? A tithe is required by God to support the church because free giving can be a source of not giving although I'm not generalizing that will surely be the outcome. I knew many Christians don't give both tithes and offering cause it was me before or if I give, I'l give 1 cent but our church needs money to expand His Kingdom..Even pastors the bible says:"Should be blessed with double honor and pay as they preached God's word"..If i have One billion dollar during the time of my death in the bed, I will give all that money to my church/pastors/missionaries as my church will used that for world missions, church planting and many more and this is what paul said giving out of the abundance of the heart but tithing's is different because it is evidently bogus in the bible that you don't owned the 10% of your earning otherwise you will be a robber says the Lord and nobody says it but the Lord. In the new covenant, it was even mentioned that give to Caesar what was his and give to God what was His.. Now do you think that is Free gift from the term give to God what was His? of course not because that mandate indicate that God owns money from us and there is no other but the tithes and Love offering is different.It is from the abundance of the heart.. if you give 2 cents just to make it appear you gave from your heart better not to give cause that is hypocrisy only to show God that he/she gives..This is simple mathematics to analyzed sir. No ned to use names of people or character in the bible just to attacked Malachi 3:10 because that verse is God's spoken and be curse for those who don't give thats why many Christian are poor because they don't give tithes..its a fact..When I started giving tithes in 2006, Me and my family were never been in lack since today contrary when I wasn't giving tithes despite Christian already since 1987. This is my testimony to you sir whatever church you are..I begged you stop attacking Malachi 3:10
GREETINGS!
This letter is for those so-called Christians I read in my research about accusing Malachi 3:10 and worse accusing pastors and churches who encourage tithing's to their members so they will be blessed but these so called Christians accused our church of making a blackmail that if Christians won't give tithes then they will be curse cause they rob God....OF COURSE NOT CAUSE SINCE I GAVE TITHES IN 2006 I NEVER BEEN IN LACK UNTIL TODAY AS GOD SAID "TEST ME"..IN TITHING'S and WILL I NOT GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN HAVE....amen
When you say that blessings in the old covenant such as abundant herds and crops means not money the Holy spirit inspire me to tell you are very wrong. Abundance cannot be spent if it isn't be in a form of cash then how can you claim to say that God blessed you abundantly if that blessing cannot be used as it is not money as u mentioned earlier? A tithe is required by God to support the church because free giving can be a source of not giving although I'm not generalizing that will surely be the outcome. I knew many Christians don't give both tithes and offering cause it was me before or if I give, I'l give 1 cent but our church needs money to expand His Kingdom..Even pastors the bible says:"Should be blessed with double honor and pay as they preached God's word"..If i have One billion dollar during the time of my death in the bed, I will give all that money to my church/pastors/missionaries as my church will used that for world missions, church planting and many more and this is what paul said giving out of the abundance of the heart but tithing's is different because it is evidently bogus in the bible that you don't owned the 10% of your earning otherwise you will be a robber says the Lord and nobody says it but the Lord. In the new covenant, it was even mentioned that give to Caesar what was his and give to God what was His.. Now do you think that is Free gift from the term give to God what was His? of course not because that mandate indicate that God owns money from us and there is no other but the tithes and Love offering is different.It is from the abundance of the heart.. if you give 2 cents just to make it appear you gave from your heart better not to give cause that is hypocrisy only to show God that he/she gives..This is simple mathematics to analyzed sir. No ned to use names of people or character in the bible just to attacked Malachi 3:10 because that verse is God's spoken and be curse for those who don't give thats why many Christian are poor because they don't give tithes..its a fact..When I started giving tithes in 2006, Me and my family were never been in lack since today contrary when I wasn't giving tithes despite Christian already since 1987. This is my testimony to you sir whatever church you are..I begged you stop attacking Malachi 3:10
Saturday, October 30, 2010
How To Praise God When Everythings Started Falling?
Why is it very easy to praise God when all things are going well with you? My second question is:"Why is it very difficult to praise God if all things are started falling?
Answer:
It is very easy to praise God in life if life is full of prosperity such as having nice & luxurious cars, Thousands & thousand or even a Million Dollars bank account; or having nice well & healthy Family and many influential friends.
But what about if all those things will be gone in a single minute then I doubt if the enthusiam of praising God will still be there with you still. These all has happened to job in the old testament because in a single minute Job is one of the richest man onearth perhapslike billgates but in a single minute Job lost all his wealth & everything and most the painful part was, He lost his precious children and had shameful deadly skin diseases and her wife told her to curse God & die but Job contested saying:" The gave and the Lord take it away so Let his Name be Praise!!! This is very absurd yet very touching & admirable faith of Job because on the back of the trial, the devil & God had a discussion that God said to the devil here is my servant job who is very faithful fromthe beginning, but satan said to God if you take all his belongings, He will no longer be faithful so the Lord was challenge and allowed the devil to have his way provided Job's life will not be touched.
Sometimes, we are also encountering these problems as God is also testing our faith whether we are really indeed faithful just as the "Gold is tested using fire to prove if that is real".
Going back to Job, at the end of his trial because job was faithful, God replaced all his dead children by giving her more children and God even made One of Job's daughter the most beautiful women in the land in his time (if compare to our time, His daughter is like the Miss Universe so to speak)..
Job waited for so long forGod to answer allhispleading and the most frusting eventin the bible was God was silent in 37 chapters just imagine its 37 chapters and sometimesin ourlife we already give up ifGod willnotanswere usin the second eventofpleading & prayers or chapter.
Tomake the story short, at the end, God gave Job all what he lost ten times of it so imagine if you were job who lost One million dollars & some other important issues like divorce, death in the family; being robbed; and many more pains in life, don't be discouraged because God wanted to blessed you ten times than what was lost.
And due to Gods's testings then afterwards God will bring it forth to you not 1 Million but already 10 million if for example One million was lost. God is using Job's life in the bible not because of him(job) but it was intended by God to happened in order for us to read and understand that the message is not for job but for you and me.
Real worship comes deeply if you are in deepest pain according to Rick Warren. I remember when I lost my dad in 2000 as awell as all the businesses, I felt it was the end of the world and I wantedto end it because I just cannot acceted it but now I am realizing that God is brining it backt ome little by little and one example is I never expected to get married to a very pretty & sensible women with good family & personal backgound compared to mine as my background or childhood memory is life the title:"Nightmare on ELM's Street."..
If you are hurt & discouraged, just remember that God is using it to transformed & Mature you in some areas of your life soyou won't end up getting destroyed and most of all after transforming you, but the beauty in having this painfulexperienced is He will give it back 10 times what was taken out from you but take note some verse in the bible says: God will returned it a hundredfold so its up to God and all you must do is simple "cast all your cares to GOD cause He cares for you"..
Remember always that His answers is wiser than your prayers because many times int the bible God said: I will never Leave you nor Forsake you! In Mathew,Jesus said:"Look at the birds in the sky, they flew freely without wories & struggle, yet my fatherin heaven feeds them; then Jesus said: Why Worry what you should eat or drink or cloths to wear?"Are you not worth far more than birds? wow! it was so excitingt to hear that we are more than birds in the eyes of God and in Jeremiah 29:11 God again said:For I have plans for you, Plans to prosper you, not to harm you but to give you hope and a future...
When I became the Marketing Managerof One of manila's Top Group of realty in 2009, I told myself and to God and to mywife saying:"Is this real ora joke or a dream but it was real gosh! We cannot or never underestimate what God can do for our lives. if your suffering now, I believe God wants your attention cause He loves you more thanyou knowand wanted to bless you more than what you have at present...so just think that God is God and every impossible things in this world is possible for Him.. I mean everything!! Name it? everything yout think that are unsolvable is chicken is God's hand.... My advised to you is "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and never rely on what you think you know........keywords: TRust God! Love you all.....Gud Nyt http://rickpila.blogspot.com
Answer:
It is very easy to praise God in life if life is full of prosperity such as having nice & luxurious cars, Thousands & thousand or even a Million Dollars bank account; or having nice well & healthy Family and many influential friends.
But what about if all those things will be gone in a single minute then I doubt if the enthusiam of praising God will still be there with you still. These all has happened to job in the old testament because in a single minute Job is one of the richest man onearth perhapslike billgates but in a single minute Job lost all his wealth & everything and most the painful part was, He lost his precious children and had shameful deadly skin diseases and her wife told her to curse God & die but Job contested saying:" The gave and the Lord take it away so Let his Name be Praise!!! This is very absurd yet very touching & admirable faith of Job because on the back of the trial, the devil & God had a discussion that God said to the devil here is my servant job who is very faithful fromthe beginning, but satan said to God if you take all his belongings, He will no longer be faithful so the Lord was challenge and allowed the devil to have his way provided Job's life will not be touched.
Sometimes, we are also encountering these problems as God is also testing our faith whether we are really indeed faithful just as the "Gold is tested using fire to prove if that is real".
Going back to Job, at the end of his trial because job was faithful, God replaced all his dead children by giving her more children and God even made One of Job's daughter the most beautiful women in the land in his time (if compare to our time, His daughter is like the Miss Universe so to speak)..
Job waited for so long forGod to answer allhispleading and the most frusting eventin the bible was God was silent in 37 chapters just imagine its 37 chapters and sometimesin ourlife we already give up ifGod willnotanswere usin the second eventofpleading & prayers or chapter.
Tomake the story short, at the end, God gave Job all what he lost ten times of it so imagine if you were job who lost One million dollars & some other important issues like divorce, death in the family; being robbed; and many more pains in life, don't be discouraged because God wanted to blessed you ten times than what was lost.
And due to Gods's testings then afterwards God will bring it forth to you not 1 Million but already 10 million if for example One million was lost. God is using Job's life in the bible not because of him(job) but it was intended by God to happened in order for us to read and understand that the message is not for job but for you and me.
Real worship comes deeply if you are in deepest pain according to Rick Warren. I remember when I lost my dad in 2000 as awell as all the businesses, I felt it was the end of the world and I wantedto end it because I just cannot acceted it but now I am realizing that God is brining it backt ome little by little and one example is I never expected to get married to a very pretty & sensible women with good family & personal backgound compared to mine as my background or childhood memory is life the title:"Nightmare on ELM's Street."..
If you are hurt & discouraged, just remember that God is using it to transformed & Mature you in some areas of your life soyou won't end up getting destroyed and most of all after transforming you, but the beauty in having this painfulexperienced is He will give it back 10 times what was taken out from you but take note some verse in the bible says: God will returned it a hundredfold so its up to God and all you must do is simple "cast all your cares to GOD cause He cares for you"..
Remember always that His answers is wiser than your prayers because many times int the bible God said: I will never Leave you nor Forsake you! In Mathew,Jesus said:"Look at the birds in the sky, they flew freely without wories & struggle, yet my fatherin heaven feeds them; then Jesus said: Why Worry what you should eat or drink or cloths to wear?"Are you not worth far more than birds? wow! it was so excitingt to hear that we are more than birds in the eyes of God and in Jeremiah 29:11 God again said:For I have plans for you, Plans to prosper you, not to harm you but to give you hope and a future...
When I became the Marketing Managerof One of manila's Top Group of realty in 2009, I told myself and to God and to mywife saying:"Is this real ora joke or a dream but it was real gosh! We cannot or never underestimate what God can do for our lives. if your suffering now, I believe God wants your attention cause He loves you more thanyou knowand wanted to bless you more than what you have at present...so just think that God is God and every impossible things in this world is possible for Him.. I mean everything!! Name it? everything yout think that are unsolvable is chicken is God's hand.... My advised to you is "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and never rely on what you think you know........keywords: TRust God! Love you all.....Gud Nyt http://rickpila.blogspot.com
Monday, October 25, 2010
We Need to PERSEVERE in order to do the Will of God otherwise Salvation is impossible if we live a christian by name only
Why Many Christian won't make it to the end just as Christ said that we must accomplished His will on earth otherwise we won't be in heaven?
In addition, Jesus said:" Not all who calls me Lord can enter my kingdom but only those who has done the will of my father
Since my sufferings is not much based on a sin alone or being a habitual sinner like my past life, I finally realized that this is or was a test from God wether or not i will fade a way; but i won't because I remember the parable of the seeds where many planted to some places such as on the rocks; others on a fertilized soil and other on a good soil but on a very worst scenerio, at first, many christian believers received the word of Jesus with joy & overwhelming praises & shout for joy. It is very funny because these so called christians felt as if they are no longer stepping on the land but floating in the air due to overjoyed; but when the trials, Problems & testing comes, all their overjoyed feelings & experiences became like a sand melted in the seashore.
Others also where so empowered by the spritual insignts as well as wisdom & boldness but because of the worries in life such as money, luxuries & many more wordly desires & lust, they fade away and this is what Jesus portrayed using an illustration of a bird where a man planted his seed on the ground but were crammed or in the rocks but were eaten and snatch by the birds that passess by so be careful where you planted your seed cause it might be fade, crammed or be eatened by the birds that passess by and then you will be gone like chasing the wind. In other words, you better be careful how you built your foundation because a christian life is not a feeling based or insulated from problems or we call it a problem free life; it is a problem proof life.
Now what do I mean by that? What I mean is you need to develop the fruits of the Holy spirit such as what paul said in Galatians:"The fruit of the Spirit is Patience, Perseverance, Self-control, Peace, Joy, Love, Huminly & long suffering and so on. Its not easy, it takes time but you need to do your part. Just like a man going to the Gym, of course he already has his muscle but the question is He needs to make his muscle grow by constant practice and it takes discipline & perseverance as the famous saying goes:"No Pain NO Gain".. that is right!
What Im trying to point out that spiritual muscle can be build by always going to church and seek accountability partner to check you and most of all you need to read the bible everyday and pray most of the time and turn away from your sins and promise not to do it again. Breaking one of these will eventually breaking it all..it is just like trying to go for a three(3) hour exercise in a gym without eating & drinking water for one week will eventually take you to the hospital.
The series of becoming a true christian by not getting snatch by the devil needs obedience and patience & perseverance.. In my case, I really got frustrated in 2010 because what I worked for just fade away and not really all but my plans to go to USA and visit my mom and buy House & car has been thrown into the garbage then I cried out to God saying:"What have I done Lord? why did you allow these mess? but later I realized; I mean, Just recently, that the spirit of God took me into the verses in luke about the Testing & trials in order to make me stronger and matured christian and most of all, that test as stated in the bible is also to prove if I am a real or fake christian by saying" Gold is tested by fire to prove if it is real gold and therefore my trials must also be tested my Trials & Problems to prove also if my faith is real or not.. I admit that it is really painful but as I just said earlier, "No pain, No gain! or it tested my love for Jesus and figuring where I planted my seed. Remember, I felt happy now even though I wasnt able to do my personal plans but the most crucial and important to me is that I am still in the middle of God's will and growned up in my faith & relationship with Jesus because I passed the test or despite the pain, I didnt resored to revenged against God or go back to my pld life or start blaming people but I am still serving God in our church and I believe that God Promised me :"thru Job, after the testing, He will returned everything what was lost into hundred fold AND I am personally claiming it now to God In Jesus name that He will fullfill His promised to me that His Plans for me is not to harm me but to prosper me and give me a future..(Jeremiah 29:11) It makes me felt better that I realized that the seed I planted has not been cramed nor taken away by the birds in the air; meaning, I kept and fought the good fight of faith and God also said:"No ears, eyes nor thoughts can fathom what He has prepared for those who love HIM".. http://rickpila.blogspot.com
In addition, Jesus said:" Not all who calls me Lord can enter my kingdom but only those who has done the will of my father
Since my sufferings is not much based on a sin alone or being a habitual sinner like my past life, I finally realized that this is or was a test from God wether or not i will fade a way; but i won't because I remember the parable of the seeds where many planted to some places such as on the rocks; others on a fertilized soil and other on a good soil but on a very worst scenerio, at first, many christian believers received the word of Jesus with joy & overwhelming praises & shout for joy. It is very funny because these so called christians felt as if they are no longer stepping on the land but floating in the air due to overjoyed; but when the trials, Problems & testing comes, all their overjoyed feelings & experiences became like a sand melted in the seashore.
Others also where so empowered by the spritual insignts as well as wisdom & boldness but because of the worries in life such as money, luxuries & many more wordly desires & lust, they fade away and this is what Jesus portrayed using an illustration of a bird where a man planted his seed on the ground but were crammed or in the rocks but were eaten and snatch by the birds that passess by so be careful where you planted your seed cause it might be fade, crammed or be eatened by the birds that passess by and then you will be gone like chasing the wind. In other words, you better be careful how you built your foundation because a christian life is not a feeling based or insulated from problems or we call it a problem free life; it is a problem proof life.
Now what do I mean by that? What I mean is you need to develop the fruits of the Holy spirit such as what paul said in Galatians:"The fruit of the Spirit is Patience, Perseverance, Self-control, Peace, Joy, Love, Huminly & long suffering and so on. Its not easy, it takes time but you need to do your part. Just like a man going to the Gym, of course he already has his muscle but the question is He needs to make his muscle grow by constant practice and it takes discipline & perseverance as the famous saying goes:"No Pain NO Gain".. that is right!
What Im trying to point out that spiritual muscle can be build by always going to church and seek accountability partner to check you and most of all you need to read the bible everyday and pray most of the time and turn away from your sins and promise not to do it again. Breaking one of these will eventually breaking it all..it is just like trying to go for a three(3) hour exercise in a gym without eating & drinking water for one week will eventually take you to the hospital.
The series of becoming a true christian by not getting snatch by the devil needs obedience and patience & perseverance.. In my case, I really got frustrated in 2010 because what I worked for just fade away and not really all but my plans to go to USA and visit my mom and buy House & car has been thrown into the garbage then I cried out to God saying:"What have I done Lord? why did you allow these mess? but later I realized; I mean, Just recently, that the spirit of God took me into the verses in luke about the Testing & trials in order to make me stronger and matured christian and most of all, that test as stated in the bible is also to prove if I am a real or fake christian by saying" Gold is tested by fire to prove if it is real gold and therefore my trials must also be tested my Trials & Problems to prove also if my faith is real or not.. I admit that it is really painful but as I just said earlier, "No pain, No gain! or it tested my love for Jesus and figuring where I planted my seed. Remember, I felt happy now even though I wasnt able to do my personal plans but the most crucial and important to me is that I am still in the middle of God's will and growned up in my faith & relationship with Jesus because I passed the test or despite the pain, I didnt resored to revenged against God or go back to my pld life or start blaming people but I am still serving God in our church and I believe that God Promised me :"thru Job, after the testing, He will returned everything what was lost into hundred fold AND I am personally claiming it now to God In Jesus name that He will fullfill His promised to me that His Plans for me is not to harm me but to prosper me and give me a future..(Jeremiah 29:11) It makes me felt better that I realized that the seed I planted has not been cramed nor taken away by the birds in the air; meaning, I kept and fought the good fight of faith and God also said:"No ears, eyes nor thoughts can fathom what He has prepared for those who love HIM".. http://rickpila.blogspot.com
Friday, October 1, 2010
Question: "Who am I in Christ?"
Question: "Who am I in Christ?"
Answer: According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” There are two Greek words which are translated “new” in the Bible. The first, neos, refers to something that has just been made, but there are already many others in existence just like it. The word translated “new” in this verse is the word kainos, which means “something just made which is unlike anything else in existence.” In Christ, we are made an entirely new creation, just as God created the heavens and the earth originally—He made them out of nothing, and so He does with us. He does not merely clean up our old selves; He makes an entirely new self. When we are in Christ, we are “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4 KJV). God Himself, in the person of His Holy Spirit, takes up residence in our hearts. We are in Christ and He is in us.
In Christ, we are regenerated, renewed, and born again, and this new creation is spiritually minded, whereas the old nature is carnally minded. The new nature fellowships with God, obeys His will, and is devoted to His service. These are actions the old nature is incapable of doing or even desiring to do. The old nature is dead to the things of the spirit and cannot revive itself. It is “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) and can only be made alive by a supernatural awakening, which happens when we come to Christ and are indwelt by Him. Christ gives us a completely new and holy nature and an incorruptible life. Our old life, previously dead to God because of sin, is buried, and we are raised “to walk in newness of life” with Him (Romans 6:4).
If we belong to Christ, we are united to Him and no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:5-6); we are made alive with Him (Ephesians 2:5); we are conformed to His image (Romans 8:29); we are free from condemnation and walking not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1); and we are part of the body of Christ with other believers (Romans 12:5). The believer now possesses a new heart (Ezekiel 11:19) and has been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:3).
We might wonder why we so often do not live in the manner described, even though we have given our lives to Christ and are sure of our salvation. This is because our new natures are residing in our old fleshly bodies, and these two are at war with one another. The old nature is dead, but the new nature still has to battle the old “tent” in which it dwells. Evil and sin are still present, but the believer now sees them in a new perspective and they no longer control him as they once did. In Christ, we can now choose to resist sin, whereas the old nature could not. Now we have the choice to either feed the new nature through the Word, prayer, and obedience, or to feed the flesh by neglecting those things.
When we are in Christ, “we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37) and can rejoice in our Savior, who makes all things possible (Philippians 4:13). In Christ we are loved, forgiven, and secure. In Christ we are adopted, justified, redeemed, reconciled, and chosen. In Christ we are victorious, filled with joy and peace, and granted true meaning in life. What a wonderful Savior is Christ!
Answer: According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” There are two Greek words which are translated “new” in the Bible. The first, neos, refers to something that has just been made, but there are already many others in existence just like it. The word translated “new” in this verse is the word kainos, which means “something just made which is unlike anything else in existence.” In Christ, we are made an entirely new creation, just as God created the heavens and the earth originally—He made them out of nothing, and so He does with us. He does not merely clean up our old selves; He makes an entirely new self. When we are in Christ, we are “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4 KJV). God Himself, in the person of His Holy Spirit, takes up residence in our hearts. We are in Christ and He is in us.
In Christ, we are regenerated, renewed, and born again, and this new creation is spiritually minded, whereas the old nature is carnally minded. The new nature fellowships with God, obeys His will, and is devoted to His service. These are actions the old nature is incapable of doing or even desiring to do. The old nature is dead to the things of the spirit and cannot revive itself. It is “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) and can only be made alive by a supernatural awakening, which happens when we come to Christ and are indwelt by Him. Christ gives us a completely new and holy nature and an incorruptible life. Our old life, previously dead to God because of sin, is buried, and we are raised “to walk in newness of life” with Him (Romans 6:4).
If we belong to Christ, we are united to Him and no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:5-6); we are made alive with Him (Ephesians 2:5); we are conformed to His image (Romans 8:29); we are free from condemnation and walking not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1); and we are part of the body of Christ with other believers (Romans 12:5). The believer now possesses a new heart (Ezekiel 11:19) and has been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:3).
We might wonder why we so often do not live in the manner described, even though we have given our lives to Christ and are sure of our salvation. This is because our new natures are residing in our old fleshly bodies, and these two are at war with one another. The old nature is dead, but the new nature still has to battle the old “tent” in which it dwells. Evil and sin are still present, but the believer now sees them in a new perspective and they no longer control him as they once did. In Christ, we can now choose to resist sin, whereas the old nature could not. Now we have the choice to either feed the new nature through the Word, prayer, and obedience, or to feed the flesh by neglecting those things.
When we are in Christ, “we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37) and can rejoice in our Savior, who makes all things possible (Philippians 4:13). In Christ we are loved, forgiven, and secure. In Christ we are adopted, justified, redeemed, reconciled, and chosen. In Christ we are victorious, filled with joy and peace, and granted true meaning in life. What a wonderful Savior is Christ!
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