Category: SANCTIFICATION

Scriptural Reading: Acts 17:23,1 Peter 1:16

We have to keep track on all the things that we do. We need to know things what comes next after the other whether if its from our job or a simple thing to do in our home sweet home(where Jesus also lives!) or even with our free time and for some who had a not so favorable result from an endeavor. This also goes with our spiritual lives.

‘Wassup’? I like the sound of this word but what really is meaningful about this is that it conveys a message completely with ease and comfort and making the message completely comprehended. Some of the responses that you will be having are ‘Nothing much, and you?’, ‘just hanging around’, ‘just chilling and snoozing’.

This word is not biblical of what we mean. Sup in the bible means to eat, but the sense of what we mean when we say sup is divine in its meaning. God wants us to know Him fully through revelation and He has to do it the easier way we can know and have it. Remember, revealing something from God is divine. God may not say a word like sup or wassup but He always make sure what He wants to get the message across to us with out any iota of doubt and that is why this is divine. It is always going to be perfectly clear and well defined to us, just like if someone tells us sup and we know exactly our response will be.

v.23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

Revelation is a requisite and indispensable for us to know Him more and His will for us. For some Christians today, they know God by their minds and mouth but not within. One thing for sure is that God would definitely reveal things to us only if we are willing to accept it. If we have no idea of how, then we will definitely go nowhere.

God is Omnipresence and therefore God resides in us. Yes, inside of us(See I Corinthians 6:19)and this is why we have no reason why we cannot communicate with God. He went through our spirit, soul and body. We can’t reach Him so He reached for us.

1 Peter 1:16

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Jesus restored our relationship and communication back to our Father in heaven. Our Father is Holy and so is our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit continue to convict us. This is the main reason we should be holy. It is impossible for us to inhabit a holy place if we remain and continue to be unholy. God is continually making efforts to communicate with us. We have to go through with sanctification and His instructions should be met every single second of our lives.

Becoming holy requires us with a lot of instructions to our Father in heaven and communication is an integral part of it. God will definitely tell us a lot of things for us to become holy and we with no other way but to accept His instructions and these instructions will come in any minute or any second in our lives. God knows what we need and therefore we should always come to the throne of His grace and communicate to Him. If someone asks you sup what would you say? Think about God. He might be telling us something! Sup?

Scriptural Readings: Matthew 4:4

Have we given serious thoughts about how important words are or just even a word? In school we were taught that a sentence is a word or words grammatically linked, complete in itself together conveying a statement, question, exclamation, or command. But does this mean anything? A lot!

Words are not just bunch of letters constructed in a sentence all lined up in a paragraph saying what we want written on a paper or in our e mail or maybe words that we promise or tell others what we think of what maybe is good or bad. There are still some people though in some parts of this world who still believe the alakazam or the hocus pocus and a lot of these mumbo jumbo chant stuffs are still working for them.

If words written or spoken are packed together with the right intentions will result to powerful messages that can move lives. Every letter that we key in whatever device we have whether from a computer down to the smallest smart phone for a command will change entirely a peaceful and orderly world to a disorderly chaotic world, a total disaster or a scenario in a court giving freedom to a man when a judge from his judgement seat declares not guilty making him innocent accused of a crime he did not commit, setting him free.

When I was a kid, I was taught how words are important. Telling a lie is one thing that would put me into a lot of troubles and shame(totally true!). These are words. The same words that taught me what love is all about and how to get and earn respect on the letters that make up my name, our names!

v. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Starting our day with prayers as Christians, our faith tells us how important words are as we express ourselves to God not only of what our intents for Him but also to give Him praise, honor and glory! Words that we have to be true with as God has been to us.

The thing that we have to know, however, these powerful words from our Omnipotent God who created the universe came from Him, every word that proceeded out from the mouth of God, sitting from His throne. The source of everything is from our God. Every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God is our lives. With out God and His words we will cease to exist! The words He is saying to us might not be audible with our ears but we know God is the source of these powerful words we know inside of us.

There is nothing impossible for God. As a matter of fact He humbled Himself and He became a man. We called Him Jesus Christ. The words and commandments of Jesus are words from the throne of our almighty God! Making these words the words that we have to live by. The powerful truth about the Word!

Scriptural Readings: Matthew 13:2-3; 10-11; 13; 15

Iam not really quite sure nowadays if a lot of us would be thrilled with our e mails or being scared the living daylights out of it. One thing sure about it is that messages would pop out that would bring all about happiness or the exact opposite.

v. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

These multitudes of people during the time of our Lord Jesus were also thrilled listening to Him. They might not be having the folding smart phone like we do today following the Twitter, Instagram or on your Viber but they were definitely also excited listening and following Jesus just like you and I. Some were glad about what they heard some were not and some were puzzled.

v.3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

But what about us today? Are we thrilled to hear what our Lord Jesus wants us to tell? We live in a different time but there are still things that our God wants us to know. Jesus wants us to listen to Him!

In this modern world we live in, some might think and some will say that the bible contains God’s tweets and blogs or maybe you can choose your favorite apps. Some may agree and some may not but one thing for sure is that we should follow God and His will for us. These messages He is telling us are things that will guide us. As we read the bible, our whole being, spirit, soul and body continue to receive God’s messages. These messages might not be in the form of a blog or something or pictures popping in your Instagram or Viber but these messages are the most important things in our lives that we have to know and do.

v.10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

When we read the bible let us put into our minds that God has always a message for us. When we see the icon in our gadgets telling us we have a message, the same with our God. We cannot see an icon but our spirit tells us we’ve got a message. These messages might be read over and over again but a thing for sure God has a message to get across to us.

v.11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

It is very clear that Jesus wants us to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Take note not mystery but mysteries, a lot of them. It is for us, yes, you and I that God is willing to reveal to us these mysteries.

but to them it is not given.

It seems to be unfair one might ask. but actually not.

v.13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

v. 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

They’ve got messages too, that is for sure but since they let their heart to remain and refrain to be attentive to God’s messages, they cannot hear and see God’s messages unless they make a turn around and God will heal them.

Now it is all up to us. If we continue to read and study His words, He will reveal to us these mysteries as we go through with our spiritual lives. Messages will continue to appear and reappear in our whole being. We have to be well aware of these messages, otherwise, we will miss the action, our hearts will waxed gross, ears will become dull and our eyes will close and the result missing the revelation Jesus had for us. What a waste!

We will have messages from Him, that is for sure. He wants us to receive these messages asap to let us know that He is continually getting in touch with us. It is comforting to know living in a restless world filled with miseries and anxieties that our God is always there with us making us to know His presence and that He is in control of our lives.

Before we open our e mails, let us first make sure that we have already opened ourselves to God’s messages. God’s messages will complete our day with no doubt, revealing Himself to us more and more and we will become a blessings to everyone!

Scriptural Readings: Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:9-10;31

Living nowadays is a nerve wracking thing if not for a lot of us maybe for some and anxiety is a normal thing for humans to have. It might sound strange but I believe there is way we can handle this.

Galatians 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

I am crucified with Christ:

We could be having the same difficulties with or with out God in our lives but the difference and having the advantage as Christians is that this time God has given us strength and the right reasons for living. To be crucified with Christ is giving up everything! Everything I know, everything I own and everything that I desire. Yes, everything!! Let us go on…

…nevertheless I live;

The whole 24/7, 365 a year is done filled with the sweat of our brows, fun filled moments and because of our stubbornness, unwanted situations. We have this notion that we have to strive to be like Christ. I do not think that this idea will work and go any further. Yes, we are to live with our volition, have logic and practice our common sense…

yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:

but most importantly and thing that really matters is that our lives should be ran, subdued and should be totally under the control by Jesus Christ. We will continue to have hatred, anxiety name it that will make our lives miserable if we will not let Christ live inside not in side of us. There is a big difference. A life that is given to Him under his own rule and a life like ours living the way we want to do. This is the life that we have to live with. It has become inevitable for us Christians to live in the Spirit by letting Jesus conquer our lives and to live our lives the way the Spirit tells us because living in the Spirit is doing God’s will.

…and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

We are not going to live with our dreams anymore but what the Spirit will tell and lead us to. We should not go for the odds thinking that the rule of probability will catapult us to success and have less anxieties. This is totally wrong! This is living and following ourselves outside of what Jesus Christ wants and His will for us. This is the exact opposite of the being crucified with Christ. This idea is ourselves rule. This is not I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Romans 8:9-10

v.9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

To live in a world filled with uncertainties and a life in the Spirit are the lives that we have to live with and the only thing that separates these two is Jesus living inside us and the power of the Holy Spirit and not having our own way of living to please Him.

This is why I believe in His promise that He will not leave us nor forsake us, because He is inside of us. God has seen not us but His son inside of us. This is now the reason that we should be happy and we have to live with it.

v. 10 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness.

And if Christ [be] in you,

Once again the passage tells us that Christ is inside us and this means that we have to let Him have and run our lives. This is the start of having a life of victory and success because our desires is not coming from us anymore but coming form Jesus Christ Himself. It has become His will and not ours.

the body [is] dead because of sin;

This is so because our sinful nature in our mortal body had been surrendered to Jesus. We have been crucified with Him making it dead in effect and what is left is God’s will.

the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness.

It is now clear with no doubt that this Spirit inside us made us righteous letting us live our lives the way God wanted us to have. The Holy Spirit being in command has led us to His righteousness.

v.31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

What shall we then say to these things?

We have the power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is in full effect inside of us! God is now in control of us. Now we can go through with this life with full confidence with no worries trusting and having Jesus the son of the living God living inside of us.

If God be for us, who can be against us?

NONE! No one, not even one! Alleluia!

Scriptural Readings: Proverbs 16:5; Proverbs 16:8 Acts 12:20 -23; Philippians 2:5-11

What is it to be on top? On top of what? Career? Financial status? Of our problems? Whatever these things that we are extremely thrilled about or completely blank on what to do, we have to be very careful with all our actions. This may cause our fall or maybe one more step higher.

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Proverbs 16:5 Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Acts 12:20-23

v.20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s [country].

v.21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

v.22 And the people gave a shout, [saying, It is] the voice of a god, and not of a man.

v.23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

When we think that we are on top of everything, we have a lot of things to deal with. Our whole being is always at stake most specially when we accomplished something and we are being praised. Our ego might be bloated and if we lost control of ourselves, disaster might follow next. It is impossible for us to know exactly what to be on top of everything.

When we were born, there is no way that we can see our future. It cannot be possible that we know everything from controlling our feelings to being knowledgeable from being above of everything. Being on top is something that has to be experienced coming from down below and therefore an experience is needed, a necessity for us to work on to reach what is on top and above.

Philippians 2:5-11

v.5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

v.6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

v.7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

v.8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

v.9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

v.10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;

v.11 And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

From heaven He came down. What else can we say about it. A God from above us and who is on top of everything went down, has to suffer and die just to show us what is our real situation and where we are heading to down here and here we are trying to say that we know better of what is being on top of everything!

Our Lord Jesus is on top of everything. From the moment that we get into a lot of troubles. He will rescue us.This is exactly what is to be on top of everything. One thing that we can never know fully. To trust Him every second of life should be our status. It is a must that we install in our lives the faith and trust that will never fail that we can only find in Jesus Christ.

The greatest gift that we ever had is our salvation. This was the first thing that God had in His plan when we failed Him. Being a loving God and Father to us the only thing in His omniscience is to prevent us from entering hell. Our whole being is made up of things that can never be trusted even we know we think that we are on top of things. Our possessions, family and even our own time are things that only God can handle perfectly for us through Jesus Christ. We can never be on top and above of these things. Never. Never even a second in our life time or even a second life term. Again never.

Heavenly Father, we praise and glorify You! We can never be on top of anything for You are always above us. One thing impossible to happen is that we can run our lives without you. Thank you Jesus for being our Lord and savior. Thank You for saving us. Thank You for all the things that you have given us that we can never have. In your mighty name we pray. Amen.

Scriptural Readings: Psalms 46:1; Matthew 7:7-8; Matthew 6:33; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

A thing for sure is that having gifts thrills us a lot. We love surprises.

What is really wonderful being about Christians is that we are considered as children of God. Just as our earthly parents love to give us gifts so does our heavenly Father because He loves us!

46 v.1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

The first thing though, that we have to know and admit and is very important is that we are the creation. We are God’s children and being children in this world we will be having needs. We are weak and vulnerable. There are in particulars that we have to have. We will be having problems sooner or later. We need God.

Matthew v.7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

v.8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

What is wonderful about this is that our Father knew what we need. Aside from our prayers and supplications, He gives us gifts.

There are a lot of things that we have to look in to. What happens next? What have we done with God’s gift? Why do we still complain and ask for more? Did we ever ask why we need gifts? Do we need these gifts even if we are already old?

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

Spiritual gifts are entirely different form materials things that we received from our earthly parents. Our earthly parents wants us to be happy with material things like money and all things that money can buy. It satisfies our earthly pleasure not His.

God’s gift, on the other hand is ours to use forever for His glorification. They are given to us so that we would be equipped with our spiritual lives. These gifts are given for us to open up and enrich our spiritual senses in order to know God and to be closer to Him.

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

v.1 Now concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

v.2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

v.3  Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

v.4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

v.5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

v.6  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

v.7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

v.8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

v.9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

v.10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

v.11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

One or more of these gifts are freely given to us. It is a part of us that we have to use for the Body of Christ. Now there are more reasons why we have to be thrilled and be happy about having gifts.

Heavenly Father, we would never ask for more than having You as our Father. We long for your gifts. Let the Holy spirit fill us that we may continue to be your children and follow You. We pray in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen!

Scriptural Readings: Philippians 4:6

What does it feel after a day’s work? Maybe some of us have the feeling of “That’s it, I cannot stand it anymore” and the next thing that would spring into your mind is to give up or just do nothing. That would be a big relief right?

I do not think that this a good idea and entirely different when it comes to our spiritual lives.

verse 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

There should be no idle second.

God knows that we need something. He knows as we go along with our spiritual lives we will be needing a lot of things from Him.

Be careful for nothing.

It is just like running out of things around the house. Things will go out of hand if mom finds out that there is no sugar. If no one wants to take the garbage out and many more.

In our spiritual lives when we tend to become idle this is the best time that the enemy would come and invade us. We can be even fooled into thinking that we are actually doing the God’s will but the fact is that God wanted us to move along and do something and again should not be having idle moments in our spiritual lives.

but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Prayer and supplication is a phrase that we should look into. The apostle Paul made sure that aside from our prayers we should ask what we need(supplication). He separated the words prayer and supplication to remind us that we the creation needs a lot from our creator.

Prayer

We come in God’s presence in many ways and as we pray this is the time that we meet our Heavenly Father. Jesus made us a pattern on what manner should we pray on Matthew 6:9-13. This builds a strong relationship and serves as a foundation to our faith in Him. This quiet time of prayer transcends God’s instructions to us whether we like it or not. It is our decision to do it sooner or later.

supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

What is amazing about this continuation of the verse is that God knows already what we need. And for us to strengthen our faith in Him, aside from the things that we need and asked He will add the things that we missed! All we have to do is make Him known our needs. Isn’t He an awesome God!

We need a lot of things be it spiritual or material things. When we go through with our daily lives we go through a lot of frustrations that will drag us down affecting our spiritual lives. Even before we could have known that we will be idle, God will bring us to a better situation that we will never ever regret. Let us… Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Heavenly Father, may You be Glorified! We can never be the child You want us to be with out Jesus. Let your will be done not ours and we can only do this through your son Jesus our Lord and Savior. Let your Holy Spirit work on us as we go through with our daily lives. Thank you in Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Scriptural Readings: Luke 22:42, Hebrews 12:1- 3

At this point of time the Lord has got a lot of things for me to accomplish and I have to make this time His time. This is a time of sanctification for you and I. As we follow His instructions for us, we have to do it with no delay. As we accomplish His instructions for us, we become better Christians and useful for God.

As Christians, we all know that when we got born again, we become a new creature in Jesus Christ and the moment we receive the status of co heir with Jesus we have to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, no exception and with no reservation.

The fact is as we deal with our lives, whether our spiritual lives or our earthly lives, we always face difficulties. Getting our body soul and spirit one with God’s spirit requires some serious efforts and sometimes a time consuming process.There are times we have to have some painful moments or unacceptable situations just for us to realize we are doing the wrong thing.

This is the time that we have to ask God “Should I slow down or speed up”? Spiritual maturity depends on how we follow God.This is why sometimes we have to walk or sometimes we have to run with regards with our spiritual lives.

Jesus walked slowly towards His death bearing all the pain and shame for us. Some of us right now are carrying our crosses slowly and having this inner feeling of giving up. Jesus was confronted with same thing.He saw exactly what will happen to Him(Luke 22:42). Keep in mind that these things will happen to us. Each and everyone of us who will follow Jesus will have a cross to bear.

Now we are on a race. We are told to run the race with patience. Setting aside all the things that will make it difficult for us. We are asked to look upon our Lord and savior Jesus Christ as an example who saw not the difficulties, pain, shame and all those things that would make it impossible for us to have fellowship with God. This time Jesus saw the joy that would be not only for Him but for all of us who will follow him. We have to install in our minds how He endured these things that we should not get tired and lose the purpose of running this race. The purpose of this race is to carry on this race whether we walk or run and to fix our eyes on Jesus Who is the author and finisher of our faith(Hebrews 12:1- 3).

Yes, there are things that seems to be impossible to accomplish His will and instructions for us but Jesus the author and finisher of our faith will slow us down to let us see what He wants us to see and on the other hand will speed up things for us to accomplish His will to the end.

Heavenly Father, allow us walk and follow the footsteps of your Son Jesus Christ. Let us not get weary and lose the heart to run the race that you have set before us. In the mighty name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we pray. Amen