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It’s Time for Change: 5 Ways the Holy Spirit Tranforms

Posted by Roderick on September 12, 2011
Posted in: Daily Living. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 comment

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Some Christians resist the teaching; that is, dogma of personal transformation through Christ. It is common for Christians to say that God can do anything. This truth is rehearsed in religious sermons, songs, and sayings in the Christian Church. Truly, God can do anything. All things are possible through Him. Man is born into sin. However, through God who performs the impossible, man can change. This is done through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life. In this post, we will examine five ways that the Holy Spirit changes and transforms the believer.

1) The Holy Spirit Changes our Self-Perception – His presence in us causes changes to how we view ourselves. As a Christian embraces his new life in Christ, his actions will be a reflection of the faith.

2) The Holy Spirit Changes our Minds – The Holy Spirit helps the believer to make the right decisions. When the Christian is faced with sin, the Holy Spirit will remind the Christian of Christ’s words and standards. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This work continues as we walk with Christ.

3) The Holy Spirit Changes our Weaknesses – If we yield to the Spirit, we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. As we yield to Him, our weaknesses change into strengths. When we walk in the Spirit, the flesh will not cause us to stumble.

4) The Holy Spirit Changes our Outlook – The world is governed by excess and evil. Individuals are motivated by greed, desire, and selfish impulses. The Holy Spirit will change the Christian’s outlook; that is, motivation for living. His presence changes the Christian’s approach also.

5) The Holy Spirit Changes our Manner of Living – His presence in us helps us to live as Christ lived. The Christian will desire to live to bring glory to Christ that has saved him.

So there we have it. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we can change. Stand on the dogma of change. We can be saved and transformed into the image of Christ and live a life that is pleasing to God.

Until next time, continue to strive for the crown of life that is promised to every Christian.

Take Time to Rest: Following God’s Example

Posted by Roderick on July 20, 2010
Posted in: Christian Walk, Daily Living, General Christianity, Life Lessons. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

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Life does not stop. As long as one lives, there will always be things to do, places to go, and people to see. Aside from fulfilling the demands that come with living, Christians yet have to maintain their personal relationships with the Lord. In addition, they have to fulfill any religious functions, obligations, and attend services. However, in the midst of all of these things, Christians have to be able to take time to rest.

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Gen 2:2 (KJV)

We know that God rested upon the seventh day as a sign to us that we should take time to rest. Rest has to become a part of your daily schedule. It will help with stress reduction and improve your quality of living so that you will be able to be effective even in your walk with the Lord.

Rest from your labors. You cannot do everything all time. You must take time to give your body the rest that it needs to regenerate and recuperate. Oftentimes, we would read of Jesus separating from His disciples in order to rest and pray.

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. Matt 14:23 (KJV)

Rest from your responsibilities. You cannot process and figure out everything at once. In addition, you cannot solve everyone’s problems either. You need to step back from the many cares of this life so you can get a proper perspective.

Do not allow anything, including religious service to send you into a place of burnout. Force yourself to turn off phones and computers. Remember, God rested to show us that we should rest. Take time to rest. Make it a priority. It will bless your life. Do not allow your fervor for personal purity and progress cause spiritual burnout. The scriptures declare that we must be temperate in all things, let us remember to rest.

Run and Don’t Look Back: Finishing the Christian Race

Posted by Roderick on July 13, 2010
Posted in: Bible Study, Christian Walk, Daily Living, General Christianity. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

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A question that every Christian must ask himself is, “Why do I serve Christ?” In addition, the Christian must ask, “What is the expected end of my relationship with Him?” Without a hope and an expectation, the Christian life can become mundane, lifeless, and even frustrating. As there is a shifting in the Church by the Holy Spirit, Christians have to know how to respond to it.

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Cor 9:24 (KJV)

Paul likened the Christian walk unto a race. He reminded the saints at Corinth that they have to live as if they are after a prize. No good athlete enters a race with a hope to lose, but to win. If we are going to possess what the Lord has for us in these days, we have to adopt this mindset. The scriptures give us seven ways to “run” in the Christian race:

Run to obtain (I Cor. 9:24) – We have to run with the mindset that I am going to obtain eternal life. Our focus in service has to go beyond the temporary to the eternal. The hope of our salvation is heaven. Without this hope, many will quit and fail to prepare for His coming.

Run in holiness (Hebrews 12:1) – We have to run this race in holiness. Sin has to be repented of and let go of. If not, we will run in vain. We will serve, minister, and the like, and have no reward waiting for us, only His judgment.

Run in freedom (Hebrews 12:1) – We have to run in holiness and without weights. Weights are defined as anything in your life that is unnecessary and unedifying to your Christian walk. Be humble in this area, judge in yourself whether that person, place, or thing needs to be a notable part of your life. No, it is not sin, but it can occupy your thoughts and time which makes it a weight.

Run in faith (Hebrews 11:6) – Without faith, your run in the faith is unacceptable to God. In addition, without faith, you will lose hope in the time of testing and trial. Faith gives resolve to serve the Lord in the direst situations.

Run with others (Hebrews 10:25) – We are a part of the Body of Christ. By design, God has set it up that we need one another. Therefore, we are to run this race strengthening and being strengthened by one another.

Run in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) – We are instructed to walk in the Spirit. It is the only way to run without stumbling into the desires of the flesh. Without the Spirit of the Lord, the believer will fail in his pursuit of holiness and his ministry before the Lord and unto others in the Church.

Run in the Word (Psalm 119:105) – The word of God is to govern our run in this race. It provides direction and clarity to our Christian race. Without the word of God, the Christian will be blind and “lost” as he lives for the Lord. The word also provides stability to the Christian walk.

Run, Run, Run! But, make sure you run in accordance with respect unto the Christian faith which is built upon the work of Christ, the word of God, and the working of the Holy Spirit. It is time to Run and Don’t Look Back. Do not look back to the world, to sin, and to old attitudes. But, as it is written, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Maintain your fervor to progress.