3 Powerful Bible verses in attaining holiness

If there are 3 bible verses I’ve learned to treasure and appreciate so much this year.
It would be these bible verses which has left deep marks in life on how TO BE victorious for Him.

Yes I mentioned in in my other blog that our faith without action is null and avoid. And that we have a role to play in living holy for Him. But I know you know for sure that doing it by OWN STRENGTH and WILL POWER is NOT enough. We need to stop wearing our “old eyeglasses” and start wearing Gospel lenses found in these 3 verse I’m going to share with you.

 

 

 
TO DO vs. TO BE
Firstly, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says,

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

This verse teaches us to stop condemning ourselves. Stop with our self-pity parties. If we have Christ as our Lord and Savior and have asked forgiveness of our sins.
Remember that you are Already forgiven. You’re Already cleansed.

In our moment or weakness and being tempted to sin. Our tendency is to start thinking of what’s on our TO DO list,

These are some examples,
I should read my bible more.
Pray kneeling down with teary eyes.
Talk with my mentors.
I have to put that anti-porn software on my computer.
Listen to my favorite worship song and sincerely sing my heart out for help.
Take a bath with Ice.

Now these things are not wrong and I do them myself too but when I reminded myself TO BE who you I am in the sight my God. That I am a new creation. The old has gone and Christ lives in me. That I’m free and that I am a child of God.

God doesn’t see us the way we see ourselves. When he sees us, he is delighted in us. He sees us holy and made clean not by our own wrong doings and meaningless effort but through the precious blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

GOD’s MERCY
Next is Romans 12:1-2.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of GOD’s MERCY, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

It’s very powerful for me because it takes my eyes off of myself but to who God is, His character. That in view of GOD’S MERCY and not on my own standards, other people’s opinion but on how God view of sin, how it hurts Him. I would find myself meditating on what he has done for me. That God’s will for me is good, pleasing and perfect. God hates the sin but he loves the sinner. Every time we sin, we are doing something God hates.

He has laid down his own life for me (PAST). That He is currently teaching me to trust and rely not on my own strength, will and abilities but on His power everyday (PRESENT) and that His plans for us is good, pleasing and perfect (FUTURE).

The GRACE of GOD
Another powerful verse I’d like to share with you is in Titus 2:11-12.

For the GRACE of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

Grace is God’s unmerited favor. I don’t deserved His love and forgiveness but He still chose to save me and allow me to experience His unconditional love.

Certain belief extremists have created this doctrine called “Grace-ism“. This doctrine made other believe that no matter what we’ve done God still loves us. That even if we continue sinning it’s OK because of the Grace of God. In my opinion, It’s a twisted and wrong understanding of God’s Amazing Grace.

The Grace of God is truly amazing just as how the popular described it. It’s “amazingness” (if there such a word) is not that it licensed me to sin more because I sincerely believe that the Lord will forgive me (I think I’m being selfish). Rather we will stop doing the things that he is not pleased with, things that hurts Him, Sin. The Grace of God is amazing because it liberates us. It sets us free. It enables us. It empowers us. It teaches us to say “No” to sin. It should stop us and not continue sinning. It’s by fully relying in His Grace we can have the victory over sin.

Now allow me to make an honest confession. A confession that up until now I still haven’t fully understood God’s grace.
I can’t contain. I can’t fully describe it.  I can’t fully comprehend how He has allowed a sinner like you and me experienced Him.

Now for that’s POWERFUL. It makes me cry. It overwhelms me.
And it would be  very difficult to just keep to myself.

JESUS you’re SO AMAZING!

related post : Struggling for Holiness?

Struggling for Holiness?

Are struggling for holiness too? I believe we aren’t to be called humans if we don’t. Without thoughts, words we say and act we commit. Why do we do not holiness experience it more in daily living? Why do so many Christians feel constantly defeated in their struggle with sin? Let me share excerpts my notes from the book “Pursuit of Holiness” by Jerry Bridges.

1.Our first problem is that our attitude towards sin is more self-centered than God-centered.

We are more concerned about our own “victory” over sin than we are about the fact that our sins grieve the heart of God.

We cannot tolerate failure in our struggle with sin chiefly because we are success-oriented, not because we know it is offensive to God.

We never see it aright until we see it as against God.-W.S. Plumer.

God want us to walk in obedience – not victory.
Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward self. This is not to say that God doesn’t want us to experience victory, but rather to emphasize that victory is a byproduct of obedience.As we concentrate on living an obedient, holy life, we will certainly experience the joy of victory over sin.

2. Our second problem is that we have misunderstood “living by faith” (Galatians 2:20) to mean that no effort at holiness is required on our part. in fact, sometimes we have even suggested that any effort on our part is “of the flesh”.

The bible says, faith without action is dead. I strongly believe with this. Our faith in him should result not just NOUNS but VERBS. Verbs is testifies the integrity of Nouns. Christian needs personal exertion and work as well as faith. Thus, we have a personal responsibility for our walk of holiness. Now I’m not trying to sound like I’ve got it all already, I too am writing to myself with regards to this.

3. Our third problem is that we do not take some sin seriously. We have mentally categorized sins into that which is unacceptable and that which may be tolerated a bit.

Question here is, are we willing to call sin “sin” not because it is big or little, but because God’s law forbids it?

God does not require a perfect, sinless life to have fellowship with Him, But He does require that we be serious about holiness, that we grieve over sin in our lives instead of justifying it, and that we earnestly pursue holiness as a way of life.

related post : 3 Powerful Bible verses in attaining of holiness

Handling Criticism

        Never ever compare yourself to others. You don’t need to copy someone. You are unique , one of a kind and special in our Lord’s eyes. when it comes to this topic I would remember Charles Spurgeon. A key to his perseverance in preaching through adversity was that he had settled who he was and would not be paralyzed with external criticism or internal second-guessing.

“You are not defeated when you lose. You are defeated when you quit.” says P.Coelho

One of the great perils of living under continual criticism is that this is a constant call for you to be other than what you are. And, in fact, a humble saint always wants to be a better person than he is. Learn to love who God made you to be.But there is a great danger here of losing your bearings in a sea of self-doubt. Not knowing who you are. Not being able to say with Paul, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10 ). You have to know who you are in God’s eyes. (speaking to myself too).

Be yourself, dear brother, for, if you are not yourself, you cannot be anybody else; and so, you see, you must be nobody … Do not be a mere copyist, a borrower, a spoiler of other men’s notes. Say what God has said to you, and say it in your own way; and when it is so said, plead personally for the Lord’s blessing upon it”. – C. Spurgeon.

I’m grateful to God for my fiancée, she would always remind me not to compare myself to another. It’s either I’ll look down on someone being proud or Go the opposite road of self-pity or false humility. Stop living your life to please somebody. Live to please God.

Don’t just listen to anyone’s criticism. Choose people whom you could trust to speak truth into your life. You can be sure their criticism is out of their genuine concern for you. They will hugely affect and better your character, performance and the skills you need to work on. I’m sure you surround yourself with people like that. I so grateful that God has blessed us with great friends and mentors whom we can ask for help and wisdom especially during times of making tough or big decisions.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Ps.139:14) Grace of God liberates us from performing and trying to please others.

7 Tips for Better Bible Study

by: Pastor Mark Driscoll
       When tempted by the devil to turn stones into bread after a 40-day fast in the wilderness, Jesus responded by saying simply and profoundly, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Paul, when writing to his protégé, Timothy, writes that, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

David writes, “I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes” (Psalm 119:48).

The implications are clear: life and growth come from the study of God’s words through Scripture. We are not to read and study the Bible begrudgingly but rather view it as the source of life and, like David, love God’s word.

But the reality is that we all struggle at times to study faithfully or joyfully. So, it’s nice to have a few principles to help us refocus our love and study of Scripture. Below are seven principles that I’ve found beneficial.

1. Actively serve and participate in a local church to learn with and from other Christians.

Colossians 3:16 (NIV): “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

2. Be under the authority of Scripture to be interpreted by it, not over the Scripture to be interpreted by you.

Hebrews 4:12–13 (NIV): “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-­edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

3. Pick up the Bible for life transformation, not just mental information.

John 5:39–40 (NIV): “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

4. Pick up the Bible for relational purposes—not functional ones—so that you will love God and not just know or use him.

Matthew 7:21–23 (NIV): “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’“

5. Don’t just get into the Word; get the Word into you.

Memorization, Psalm 119:11: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Meditation, Ezra 7:10: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.”

6. Take advantage of godly Bible commentators, your pastor, respected theologians in church history, and wise Christian friends to better understand Scripture.

Romans 12:7 (NIV): “If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach . . .”

7. Don’t think you need more knowledge. Often you need more obedience to the knowledge you already have.

James 1:22 (NIV): “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

What is Prayer?

Colossians 4:2-4
“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; (3) praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; (4) that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.”

What is Prayer?
First, we have to ask what “pray” means.
Mainly it means asking God for things. By “things” I don’t mean objects – stuff. I mean, generally, whatever your heart desires or needs. And, of course, what your heart needs most is God – to know him and trust him and love him and obey him.

I know that we should come to God with more than asking. We should come confessing sins and giving thanks and praise. In a broad sense, prayer includes all that. But, speaking precisely, prayer is requesting, asking. Thanking God should always be part of what we do in prayer. But prayer, in the strict sense, means requesting. So I define it as asking God for things.

“Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of his Spirit, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.” – John Bunyan

The essence of prayer is the expression of our dependence on God through requests.

That’s why God says in Psalm 50:15 , “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.” God answers our call for help so that we get the rescue and he gets the honor. “I will rescue you and you will honor me.” Similarly in John 14:13 Jesus says, “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Ask for things in my name! Why? So that the Father may be glorified. So he may look as glorious as he really is.

Confidence in the Bible as the Word of God

You’re trying to read God’s word everyday.
Sometimes you’re highly motivated to read it,
Or sometimes you’re struggling to complete your assigned chapters in your bible reading plan. Let me share to you some excerpts from John Bunyan’s book.

Bunyan’s suffering deepened in him a confidence in the Bible as the Word of God and a passion for Bible memory and Biblical exposition as the key to perseverance.

If “living upon God that is invisible” is the key to suffering rightly, what is the key to living upon God? Bunyan’s answer is: to lay hold on Christ through the Word of God, the Bible. Prison proved for Bunyan to be a hallowed place of communion with God because his suffering unlocked the Word and the deepest fellowship with Christ he had ever known.

”I never had in all my life so great an inlet into the Word of God as now [in prison]. Those scriptures that I saw nothing in before were made in this place and state to shine upon me. Jesus Christ also was never more real and apparent than now. Here I have seen him and felt him indeed. . . I have had sweet sights of the forgiveness of my sins in this place, and of my being with Jesus in another world. . . I have seen that here that I am persuaded I shall never, while in this world, be able to express.

Charles Spurgeon put it like this: “He had studied our Authorized Version . . . till his whole being was saturated with Scripture; and though his writings . . . continually make us feel and say, ‘Why, this man is a living Bible!’ Prick him anywhere; and you will find that his blood is Bibline, the very essence of the Bible flows from him. He cannot speak with out quoting a text, for his soul is full of the Word of God.”

Lord, may our hearts, our minds and soul always be filled and overflow with God’s word bearing fruit for your name’s sake.

Nourish your Soul

By: Charles Spurgeon

“Never neglect your spiritual meals, or you will lack stamina and your spirits will sink. Live on the substantial doctrines of grace, and you will outlive and out-work those who delight in the pastry and syllabubs of ‘modern thought’.”

I think one of the reasons Spurgeon was so rich in language and full in doctrinal substance and strong in the spirit, in spite of his despondency, his physical oppression and his embattlements, is that he was always immersed in a great book–six a week. But we can always be walking with some great “see-er” of God. I walked with Owen most of the year, on and off, little by little, and felt myself strengthened by a great grasp of God’s reality. And Spurgeon came in along side this reading, saying and showing the same thing, namely, that the key in all good reading of theology is utterly real fellowship with Christ.

“Above all, feed the flame with intimate fellowship with Christ. No man was every cold in heart who lived with Jesus on such terms as John and Mary did of old … I never met with a half-hearted preacher who was much in communion with the Lord Jesus” (see

Who are the Lost People?

Find out who the LOST people that the Bible talks about? Please take time to watch this video to find out.

The Pursuit of Holiness is a joint venture

by: Jerry Bridges

 

A farmer plows his field, sows the seed, and fertilizes and cultivates – all the while knowing that in the final analysis he is utterly dependent on forces outside of himself.

He knows he cannot use the seed to germinate, nor can he produce the rain and sunshine for growing and harvesting the crop. For a successful harvest, he is dependent on these things from God.
Yet the farmer knows that unless he diligently pursues his responsibilities to plow, plant, fertilize, and cultivate, he cannot expect a harvest at the end of the season. In a sense he is in partnership with God, and he will reap its benefits only when he has fulfilled his own responsibilities.

Farming is a join venture between God and the farmer. The farmer cannot do what God must do, and God will not do what the farmer should do.

We can say just as accurately that the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in His life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part. God has made it possible for us to walk in holiness. But He has given to us the responsibility of doing the walking: He does not do that for us.

To know Him is to want to know Him more.

by: George Mueller

When we became a little acquainted with God . . . our true happiness . . . commenced; and the more we become acquainted with him, the more truly happy we become. What will make us so exceedingly happy in heaven? It will be the fuller knowledge of God.

Therefore the most crucial means of fighting for joy in God is to immerse oneself in the Scriptures where we see God in Christ most clearly. When he was 71 years old, Mueller spoke to younger believers:

Now in brotherly love and affection I would give a few hints to my younger fellow-believers as to the way in which to keep up spiritual enjoyment. It is absolutely needful in order that happiness in the Lord may continue, that the Scriptures be regularly read. These are God’s appointed means for the nourishment of the inner man. . . .Consider it, and ponder over it. . .

Especially we should read regularly through the Scriptures, consecutively, and not pick out here and there a chapter. If we do, we remain spiritual dwarfs.

I tell you so affectionately. For the first four years after my conversion I made no progress, because I neglected the Bible. But when I regularly read on through the whole with reference to my own heart and soul, I directly made progress. Then my peace and joy continued more and more. Now I have been doing this for 47 years. I have read through the whole Bible about 100 times and I always find it fresh when I begin again. Thus my peace and joy have increased more and more. (76) He was seventy-one and he would live and read on for