I have discovered and experienced the Lord working in my life. I can tell you this, the way He reached in my life recently made me want to live more for Him. I can say this though, don't try to become like Jesus, if you do, you live under the law...
[Please read comments below too]
The whole idea is not for you to put in your effort to reach Jesus Christ, because it's almost like trying to get to the Father with our own strength (and we know we cannot, thats what living under the law was about). Jesus said that we should, instead, live under His Grace (and not abuse it) by being obedient to His laws and word (not trying to obtain your salvation from/through it) and to surrender to Him or to die from yourself.
Those who don't know what "dying from yourself mean", it's obviously not to kill yourself but to depart from every sin, giving up everything you own, even the people you know and love, to God! You won't be able to do it instantly (as the Apostle Paul mentioned) it takes time, even years.
How do I know this? Well the word of God says so of course!
It all started 2 Sundays ago when our preacher's wife had a teaching on the wedding feast featured in Matthews 22:1-14. We all know this passage, the king having a wedding feast and the invited didn't want to come, so he invites the people from the streets and one of them was kicked out because s/he didn't have the right clothes on.
We know that those who've accepted Jesus Christ are amongst those who accepted the invitation, right? But what about the one guy who got kicked out, even accepting the invitation? Now that was startling. The one L10T site talks about this too, you can find it here.
But Jesus said that those who believe in Him are saved?! How can anyone be kicked out, having Christ. One may argue that the person didn't really accept Christ, which might be a possibility. But those who accepted the invitation are the ones who are coming to Christ's wedding feast! And the fact that one accepts Christ as Lord and Saviour seems to be only the 1 half. We need to dress accordingly as well but one cannot do that beforehand. We see that there was some time that past between those who accepted the invitation and when the king came down and noticed the guy without the right clothes. Since they were people from the streets, they didn't have the right clothes, so the king must have supplied some to them to dress themselves with. If this is the case, it makes more sense. The guy refused to dress accordingly, thinking he is better than the rest and we notice that he got kicked out into the darkness.
Well from the Bible we learn a few things about dressing for something. In Romans 13:14 we find Paul telling his crowd to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the other crowd in Ephesians 4:22-24 telling them to put off the old man, and put on the new man. We also find him telling us the weaponry that we should put on in Ephesians 6:13-18. What does this all mean? It means, get rid of your old sinful nature (which is supposed to be drowning in the baptist water) and put on the new nature God wants you to have. The nature of Jesus Christ with the protective inventory to protect your new Holy life. In other words be obedient to God and His commandments!
The way we dress everyday is the way we shape our identity. Sometimes I woke up and just in some sort of way there is almost a switch inside of me that flips to live for or against Jesus. If the switch is set for Jesus, I would go off and try to be holy (before I have learned this new way of living) and when switched off, I would easily give in to my sinful desires sometimes without resisting even.
The more I lived like that, the more my identity started shifting. One moment the sins that you really hate to do, suddenly becomes something you really want to do and then you do it without even thinking, you become in bondage to it. What shift had to take place for one to start liking the rebellious actions against the one s/he wanted to serve? Immediately you can see the kind of clothes that person has on. Obviously Christ called everyone, "good and bad" (described in the Matthews passage) to come just as they are, but He didn't call everyone to stay like that (like we've seen).
After hearing that teaching I wanted to read more but then stumbled on Matthew 19:16-30.
Reading it I came across all the elements found in Matthew 22. We find that the man acknowledges that he lacks something to get into heaven and Jesus said "If you wish to be complete..." meaning, if you want to get into heaven, you need to be complete and you would do the following...
This shows something we all know, only the perfect ones can go to heaven. Hearing that His disciples said "Then who can be saved?". Jesus replied "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." This shows that only God can make us perfect enough to enter into heaven. But why was there mentioning of the rich man having it hard to enter? He was rich, he had many things. Read Matthew 19:21-24. The rich man didn't want to give up all he had. And there lies the key. To become complete, you need to surrender some things in life. Jesus's disciples did and Jesus assured them that they would get a hundred fold in heaven, all except for Judas obviously (who was going to betray Jesus).
We also can see in the different version of the wedding feast found in Luke 14:16-24, that a man was also inviting people to his feast but they were all too busy to come. Everyone made excuses and then it occurred to me, people who have many things who do not offer it to Christ will be too busy for Him, or maybe even putting those things above Him. For Jesus said that if we do not leave everything for His sake, then we are not fit for His kingdom. That started to make sense to me.
Now you see that being obedient and surrendering yourself to God is essential, not only for hereafter but for a blessed Christian life on earth. It is all about Jesus! He gives the Grace, He washes away your sins, and He should be the first love in your life! Bring your thoughts to Him to be placed under His obedience, bring your life to Him to be shaped to be complete! Jesus knows what is best for you and He'll lead you all the way. Look what the disciples had! They were with Him and they weren't asked to do extravagant things which He was not able to teach to them personally and patiently.
This was only a tip of what I discovered and learned and to write everything down would take forever (well figuratively speaking ;-) ) but I have written down that which I wanted to say. I do remember Jesus saying "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory" and I sure hope I didn't do that! ;-)
May the Lord Jesus Bless all of you and may He bring you to him like He is starting to do with me.
Showing posts with label spiritual growth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual growth. Show all posts
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
A transformation
Hello there everyone. Long time no see, I know. ;)
A lot has happened but probably not to your interest but there are a few things I would like to highlight.
Mostly it is spiritual happenings. I have to admit, it has been a very long time since I did the nightly meditation thing but through God's power and grace I did manage to ask someone in our company to not use God's name idly.
It was a Wednesday morning after our training session and one of our members drove me to work (they volunteered, since I don't have a car yet) and many times before, I would hear her say God's name a lot.
I prayed and asked if God would give me the courage to act upon it and just as we stopped before the place that I work, I asked her a favor and continued by saying that I would really appreciate it if she wouldn't use God's name in vain. Even behind her sun glasses I could see her eyes open wide, and she said: "Oh I didn't know that it offended you, but I won't say it again".
I am very thankful that she reacted like that and I have to say that many people don't even know (yeah even Christians) that it is wrong to use God's name like that. Last year I also managed (with Jesus's help) to confront a fellow colleague about using God's name and she said that she used it because everyone else did. I then told her that God punishes those who do that.
For those who haven't read this post, you wouldn't know huge thing it was for me when I did manage to confront people like that. I don't want to do it for confront-sake, but for God's name's sake.
What also happened at church is we are doing a "course" (not actually a course but I can't think of the appropriate name for it) called L10T (Luke 10 Transformation) which is all about whats happening in Luke 10. Read it and you'll notice it's about the 72 disciples that Jesus sent out. Currently we are going through the "blessing" stage where we are to speak the blessing and peace into our work, visitor's home, etc.
The reason why we are doing this is, we as a church want to reach out (rather learn how to apply) to people beyond our borders and at work.
There is so much that I've learned and want to write but it would take hours and many pages to do that.
Maybe later I'll write something that summarizes what I've learnt as I don't want to say something which I've gotten confused about or that doesn't factually get represented.
May all of you have a Blessed week and see you when I can write again ;)
A lot has happened but probably not to your interest but there are a few things I would like to highlight.
Mostly it is spiritual happenings. I have to admit, it has been a very long time since I did the nightly meditation thing but through God's power and grace I did manage to ask someone in our company to not use God's name idly.
It was a Wednesday morning after our training session and one of our members drove me to work (they volunteered, since I don't have a car yet) and many times before, I would hear her say God's name a lot.
I prayed and asked if God would give me the courage to act upon it and just as we stopped before the place that I work, I asked her a favor and continued by saying that I would really appreciate it if she wouldn't use God's name in vain. Even behind her sun glasses I could see her eyes open wide, and she said: "Oh I didn't know that it offended you, but I won't say it again".
I am very thankful that she reacted like that and I have to say that many people don't even know (yeah even Christians) that it is wrong to use God's name like that. Last year I also managed (with Jesus's help) to confront a fellow colleague about using God's name and she said that she used it because everyone else did. I then told her that God punishes those who do that.
For those who haven't read this post, you wouldn't know huge thing it was for me when I did manage to confront people like that. I don't want to do it for confront-sake, but for God's name's sake.
What also happened at church is we are doing a "course" (not actually a course but I can't think of the appropriate name for it) called L10T (Luke 10 Transformation) which is all about whats happening in Luke 10. Read it and you'll notice it's about the 72 disciples that Jesus sent out. Currently we are going through the "blessing" stage where we are to speak the blessing and peace into our work, visitor's home, etc.
The reason why we are doing this is, we as a church want to reach out (rather learn how to apply) to people beyond our borders and at work.
There is so much that I've learned and want to write but it would take hours and many pages to do that.
Maybe later I'll write something that summarizes what I've learnt as I don't want to say something which I've gotten confused about or that doesn't factually get represented.
May all of you have a Blessed week and see you when I can write again ;)
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Last few weeks of growth
I have to testify to something amazing, not so radical to some but to me a big happening.
Remember when last year when I kept complaining that I didn't pray/read Bible, etc? Well it changed dramatically for the most part.
After discovering this wonderful PDF resource at: http://www.gfa.org/pray
I have seen prayer in a whole new light. Also at church our reverent's wife told us that when we pray, try not to pray in your head, pray with your mouth (not that there is anything wrong with it, it is more personal and focussed that way). I followed both people's advice (including the writer of the PDF doc) and so far I only missed like 2 or so days (maybe more, I wasn't counting) of prayer and meeting time with God in weeks, which is still a patch in comparison to the time I have missed with God!
I also started following a routine to meditate on the word of God that helps a bit. Instead of just reading the verses over and over, I tried reenacting it which helped me to remember it faster and longer. Proverbs 10:12,13,14,19 and Corinthians 6:19,20 was my nightly verses for meditation for 3 weeks now. Now I want to move over to new ones for nightly review.
The bad news also is that while I had experienced this break through, Satan wasn't too happy so he started tempting me with old temptations more than ever and more frequently, unfortunately I fell quite a few times as in more than I can afford to. As disappointed as I am, I haven't lost the will to stop going for God. I realize it's because I still have the tendency to leave Christ at home while I go to work. Not a very "Christian professional" thing to do but I won't make any excuses. It's in the programming, that needs some trimming ;) It sounds rather humorous but actually this is quite serious! :(
Despite me falling for the same temptations I hope you also have discovered something that might help you out in your Spiritual growth. Also, with that comes the price tag of temptation because Satan grows threatened about your progress and seeks ways to attack you. I hope you can succeed where I have failed. I still go on and believe that Christ can help me, I just want to stop removing Him from my mind.
The thing is, one is so sad when you come looking for forgiveness from Christ, but truth be told, He wants us to enter to His thrown of Grace with boldness. (KJVR Heb 4:16) "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." The problem with feeling bad is that you think that God doesn't want to talk to you or want anything to do with you. According to that verse, the opposite applies!
Well, good day to all and have a Blessed week!
Remember when last year when I kept complaining that I didn't pray/read Bible, etc? Well it changed dramatically for the most part.
After discovering this wonderful PDF resource at: http://www.gfa.org/pray
I have seen prayer in a whole new light. Also at church our reverent's wife told us that when we pray, try not to pray in your head, pray with your mouth (not that there is anything wrong with it, it is more personal and focussed that way). I followed both people's advice (including the writer of the PDF doc) and so far I only missed like 2 or so days (maybe more, I wasn't counting) of prayer and meeting time with God in weeks, which is still a patch in comparison to the time I have missed with God!
I also started following a routine to meditate on the word of God that helps a bit. Instead of just reading the verses over and over, I tried reenacting it which helped me to remember it faster and longer. Proverbs 10:12,13,14,19 and Corinthians 6:19,20 was my nightly verses for meditation for 3 weeks now. Now I want to move over to new ones for nightly review.
The bad news also is that while I had experienced this break through, Satan wasn't too happy so he started tempting me with old temptations more than ever and more frequently, unfortunately I fell quite a few times as in more than I can afford to. As disappointed as I am, I haven't lost the will to stop going for God. I realize it's because I still have the tendency to leave Christ at home while I go to work. Not a very "Christian professional" thing to do but I won't make any excuses. It's in the programming, that needs some trimming ;) It sounds rather humorous but actually this is quite serious! :(
Despite me falling for the same temptations I hope you also have discovered something that might help you out in your Spiritual growth. Also, with that comes the price tag of temptation because Satan grows threatened about your progress and seeks ways to attack you. I hope you can succeed where I have failed. I still go on and believe that Christ can help me, I just want to stop removing Him from my mind.
The thing is, one is so sad when you come looking for forgiveness from Christ, but truth be told, He wants us to enter to His thrown of Grace with boldness. (KJVR Heb 4:16) "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." The problem with feeling bad is that you think that God doesn't want to talk to you or want anything to do with you. According to that verse, the opposite applies!
Well, good day to all and have a Blessed week!
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