Living in the Spirit by. K. Gem Castillo
Are we really having an appropriate thinking of the biblical truth. There are truths that apply to Jews and not believers.
Galatians 5:16-25 the message for today
Spirit vs. Desire of the flesh
Led by the Spirit are not under the Law
There are two distinct conditions: the flesh and the Spirit.
The flesh and the Spirit is present in an individual believer.
The flesh still has it's desires. This is associated with the old self.
Galatians 2:20 the old self is crucified and died with Christ. The flesh is still there. It has implications in our daily Living.
1 cor 15:22 Adam sinned against God. When we became Christians, we are made alive in Christ. Not by our own effort or deeds, but because of Christ.
We are no longer in the flesh. Romans 7:6. bound to the flesh of the old covenant. Released from the law and the old way of thw written code. We (Christians) are no longer subject to the ten commandments. Those who are subject to the law are unbelievers.
If my old self is dead, why do I still sin? Romans 6-8
How is living in the Spirit relevant to myself. How is living in the Spirit important to me if I am single, has a career, in studying, etc. How do people act in different situations? Am I hounded by sin behavior and makes me guilty all the time.
1. Many choose to walk after the Spirit or after the flesh as circumstances arise.
2. Many Christians employ fleshly effort as a means of perfecting themselves on Christ.
Many were made alive by faith but livin on human effort: Galatians 3:23
Living by human effort also means living based on moral standards and regulations: galatians 2:20-22. Fleshly effort, not living in the Spirit.
Our struggle as Christians is against something called the flesh. "do not mix your faith with principles just to be in"
The flesh has an ally: SIN. Romans 7:14-17. Example of Paul: Philippians 3:4-6.
The flesh is still alive after salvation. Desire to gain respect in society, self-image. All these things of the flesh is nothing compared to surpassing greatness of Christ.
The Holy Spirit becomes just like a small voice that has been overpowered by issues. There is no such thing as small voice for Christians. If it comes, there is problem in licit with the Spirit. Self-control is a natural attribute of the Holy Spirit.
God's formula for living. Titus 2:11-12 he trace of God teaches us to say NO to ungodliness.
Grace is what the Holy Spirit uses to counsel and teach us on a daily basis. 2 cor 12:9 let the power of Christ rile in hour hearts so that it will become perfect.
Growing in the Spirit. Galatians 5:18 if you are lead by the Spirit, you are not under law.
1. Maturity in Hrist is not achieved through human effort.
2. When we believe, the Holy Spirit lives in us.
3. The Spirit produces fruit through us as we depend on Him.
4. he operates through a different system called grace.
5. Recognizing the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives requires a solid understanding of grace.
If you are getting tired, bored, critical, ask yourself, are you living in the Spirit or doing it hy human effort.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Three years ago...
Three years ago...
I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I heard the gospel a few times before that day but it was nothing to me. I did not understand anything about it or had the interest to ask more about it. But then, God has He opened up the way for me to seek Him and know more about Him.
I tried to put Him to the test and as a scientist, I want evidences. Evindences of His existence, of how and why He created things as He said so. I have many questions and even so I did not get answers right out, I believed Him through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. What really struck me down inside is the verse 1 John 5:12 "He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life". It told me point-blank what I am at that moment and it is what really it is. I have no life in me because I do not Christ in my life. I tend to live and pretend to enjoy life but deep down inside me, there is a hunger and thirst for something more than this life can offer.
I prayed and ask for forgiveness, and I also prayed that He reveals me the answers to me. I did not know what will happens next but my interest and curiosity lead me to have a Bible study and bought my own bible. I read chapters and books from the New and Old Testament, with the same old bible stories I watched on the television and read from our bible book for kids with pictures. This time was different. Things were not just historical stories but it seemed to me they are real and have life in each story that I read.
Soon enough, I was introduced to a different kind of environment and it seems that I am in a different world. I saw people bringing bibles with them, talking in groups about a certain topic from the bible, people warm and friendly, free dinner with them, fellowships, people singing upfront with bands and dancers who dress in white clothes with tambourines, people praying aloud, clapping and lifting up their hands in worship of God.
I continued to seek God. Trials and challenges went up my way but the security and the love of God protected me. I began to change and see things differently. I shared the gospel and the testimony to others. Responsibilities were then given to me and every time there is a challenge, God was there for me.
But at one point, everything turned upside down. Something dear and important to me made a real wreck out of me and my faith. Suddenly, everything in my world seemed to collapse and hope and despair envelope my whole being like before. It was like the end of the world for me and nothing else can free me from the situation I was in. I began to question God again and why He does things that I cannot understand. I want to understand and I want to know His answers but there is none.
It was a real struggle but again, slowly and painfully, God revealed His plans just enough for me to trust Him again and let His grace abound in my life again. And at the end of this three years, I know God has more in store for me that I could ever imagine. Until the next three years then...
I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I heard the gospel a few times before that day but it was nothing to me. I did not understand anything about it or had the interest to ask more about it. But then, God has He opened up the way for me to seek Him and know more about Him.
I tried to put Him to the test and as a scientist, I want evidences. Evindences of His existence, of how and why He created things as He said so. I have many questions and even so I did not get answers right out, I believed Him through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. What really struck me down inside is the verse 1 John 5:12 "He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life". It told me point-blank what I am at that moment and it is what really it is. I have no life in me because I do not Christ in my life. I tend to live and pretend to enjoy life but deep down inside me, there is a hunger and thirst for something more than this life can offer.
I prayed and ask for forgiveness, and I also prayed that He reveals me the answers to me. I did not know what will happens next but my interest and curiosity lead me to have a Bible study and bought my own bible. I read chapters and books from the New and Old Testament, with the same old bible stories I watched on the television and read from our bible book for kids with pictures. This time was different. Things were not just historical stories but it seemed to me they are real and have life in each story that I read.
Soon enough, I was introduced to a different kind of environment and it seems that I am in a different world. I saw people bringing bibles with them, talking in groups about a certain topic from the bible, people warm and friendly, free dinner with them, fellowships, people singing upfront with bands and dancers who dress in white clothes with tambourines, people praying aloud, clapping and lifting up their hands in worship of God.
I continued to seek God. Trials and challenges went up my way but the security and the love of God protected me. I began to change and see things differently. I shared the gospel and the testimony to others. Responsibilities were then given to me and every time there is a challenge, God was there for me.
But at one point, everything turned upside down. Something dear and important to me made a real wreck out of me and my faith. Suddenly, everything in my world seemed to collapse and hope and despair envelope my whole being like before. It was like the end of the world for me and nothing else can free me from the situation I was in. I began to question God again and why He does things that I cannot understand. I want to understand and I want to know His answers but there is none.
It was a real struggle but again, slowly and painfully, God revealed His plans just enough for me to trust Him again and let His grace abound in my life again. And at the end of this three years, I know God has more in store for me that I could ever imagine. Until the next three years then...
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The flood and relief
It was a day of realization when I had a chance to help one of the brethren whose house has been flooded. When the text message came at 11:43 AM, we mobilized all the apartment guys for help and we prayed for God's mercy and grace to be upon our task. I was expecting flood and we walked through flooded roads of Mayondon just to go to the place we have to transfer the furniture and other household things and even the ministry things. The building where the apartment and the worship hall has been flooded on the first floor and the lake water has left no boundary between the lake and the dry land. The place has to be abandoned. There was a lot of things to carry and the guys formed lines to pass the things that is being transferred. I praise the God that we had a chance to help and experience walking through the floods of Ondoy, not just see it on television. It took us about more than 2 hours of work to transfer the things.
Then we took our late lunch of about 3:00 PM and several minutes of rest. Then went to the relief operations to another barangay at Los Banos, Tadlac. I do not know how many families are there but the relief goods we brought for distribution was 500 meals of rice and chicken adobo. And it was only for a block of temporary tent-houses for the evacuees since the school that is supposed to be the evacuation center has been flooded as well. What we gave was not enough to feed the whole community of evacuees but I consider it again a blessing to be part of the team that went there. Indeed, there are a lot of people who are wanting and willing to help and be part of one body showing kindness and not forgetting that we are doing it as God's command of loving our neighbor as ourself. The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a reminder, not just for me, but for others as well, that the true neighbor shows mercy and love to the one who needs help the most and not just look at the situation or pass by it.
It is also an answered prayer that Pepeng (the typhoon after Ondoy) did not come to pass here are most areas affected by Ondoy, and so many lives and houses has been spared from further damage. Thanks be to God!
Then we took our late lunch of about 3:00 PM and several minutes of rest. Then went to the relief operations to another barangay at Los Banos, Tadlac. I do not know how many families are there but the relief goods we brought for distribution was 500 meals of rice and chicken adobo. And it was only for a block of temporary tent-houses for the evacuees since the school that is supposed to be the evacuation center has been flooded as well. What we gave was not enough to feed the whole community of evacuees but I consider it again a blessing to be part of the team that went there. Indeed, there are a lot of people who are wanting and willing to help and be part of one body showing kindness and not forgetting that we are doing it as God's command of loving our neighbor as ourself. The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a reminder, not just for me, but for others as well, that the true neighbor shows mercy and love to the one who needs help the most and not just look at the situation or pass by it.
It is also an answered prayer that Pepeng (the typhoon after Ondoy) did not come to pass here are most areas affected by Ondoy, and so many lives and houses has been spared from further damage. Thanks be to God!
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