Tag Archives: faith

Nov14

Heaven Can Wait, Government Can Save Us

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Giselle Aguiar

Heaven Can Wait, Government Can Save Us

God’s Story—Our Story: The Reign of Christ—Now and Forever

Sermon by Chuck Foreman, Teaching/Missions Pastor
First Christian Church—November 11, 2012

Scriptures: Revelation 1-5; 19-22; Romans 8; 1 Thessalonians 4-5;
I Peter 2:9-17; 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Heaven can wait, Government can save us…

SALVATION & POLITICS

We’ve bought into an idea about “salvation” that is more like fire insurance than Biblical teaching. “Just give me that ticket out of hell and into heaven, and we’re good.” That kind of thinking doesn’t cause us to do anything about the combustible material in our lives that will probably burn our house down.

We think we’re heaven bound, but that we’re still trapped in an ugly, fallen world, in which we have to scrape and claw to get what WE want. We think all we really need is a government that will make it all happen for us.
Unfortunately when we think like that, there’s nothing about us or our ideas that ever changes anything or makes a difference in this world.

Our idea of heaven is more like an Escape Route or a Safe House, not a place where Christ reigns and gives us hope for restoring God’s will & reign on earth. And we think that government ought to make things better, and we hope that it will, so we whine & moan when it doesn’t, instead of rolling up our own sleeves.

The symbol for “King” in Chinese

What if we’ve missed something? What if what God really wants to do is to accomplish something revolutionary in us, thru us, among us—here, now— as we establish His Kingdom here, while we wait for the return of our King?

Illustration: Chinese character—“King” 3 horizontal lines representing heaven, man and earth, connected by a vertical line representing the one vested w/ power between heaven and earth to rule uprightly over man.

God’s Story is Our Story: Let’s review what he’s been up to and where he’s taking us…

Creation (Genesis 1-2)

The Fall of Man (Genesis 3)

A New Nation—Israel—The People of God (Genesis 12:2-3)

Israel’s Failure—Matthew 23:37-38

The Messiah—Immanuel (“God with us”—Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23)

The New Israel—The Church—The New People of God (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:42-48)

The transformation of the politics of Paul, James and Peter…
Galatians 3:28-29 (Revolutionary for Paul!)
Acts 15:16-18 (James quotes Amos 9:11-12)
Ephesians 2:10; 3:6-11, 14, 21 (God’s mystery made known thru the Church as we do the good works we were re-created to do!)
I Timothy 2:1-4 (Pray for kings so we can live peaceful, quiet, godly, holy lives—this is ultimately what will influence people to be saved.)
I Peter 2:9-17 (The New Order)

John’s Revelation…
Revelation 1-5: Message to the 7 Churches of Asia Minor—God is going to restore all things to the way they were. You’re in on it—it matters how you live! So get your act together!

Revelation 6-18: The Cosmic Battle between God and Satan over the Church

Revelation 19: Victory! The Defeat of the Beast/Babylon/The Prostitute (Rome), The Wedding of the Lamb

Revelation 20: Satan’s Doom & the Judgment of Mankind

Revelation 21-22: The Final Act—The Reign of Christ Fully, Finally Realized

Revelation 21:1-5 God with us—Out with the old, in with the new!
(This is where we place our hope, not in the White House, not in the Stock Market!)
Revelation 21:9-10 The New Jerusalem, The Church coming down from heaven

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 Let’s go meet our King!

Revelation 22:1-3a Eden Restored

Romans 8:18-25 The Redemption of Creation

Revelation 22:3b-5 We will reign with him forever!

Jesus is Coming—perhaps soon.

Listen to his final words: Revelation 22:7 Revelation 22:12

Jesus is coming someday. On that day, every knee will bow and tongue confess that he is Lord. Are you ready? You’ll either do it willingly or not, but you will bow. Are you ready?

The question is not, Is Jesus King?. He’s King alright. The question is, Is he king of your life?

You can make him King of your life today. There’s a lot of joyful work to do in His Kingdom, as we eagerly, patiently prepare for his will to ultimately be done and his kingdom to finally come “on earth—as it is in heaven.”

Right On!

Jun23

The Deadly Virus in our Churches Today

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Giselle Aguiar

The Deadly Virus in our Churches Today

This entry is part 21 of 21 in the series Christianity

I met with my pastors, Jon Taylor, Lead Pastor of First Christian Church of Phoenix, and Chuck Foreman, the teaching/missions pastor, this week to talk about collaborating on a small-group study on WWJD?. They agreed to help write it as well as a companion sermon guide.

Chuck forwarded me a newsletter from the Disciple Nations Alliance. I loved the opening message and tried to find it in a blog online at their website so I could share it, but could not. It was written just for the newsletter recipients. Thus, I’m compelled to share it here since it highlights the need for a church-wide study on WWJD?.

Coram Deo: Before the Face of God

A deadly virus is running rampant through the Church around the world. Not a physical virus, but a mental one—and very subtle. Victims typically don’t realize they are infected.

What is this virus? It’s the idea that the Christian faith is primarily personal and private. It addresses personal salvation, and it focuses on developing a pious inner life, but it has little to do with how someone lives the rest of his or her life.

There are huge problems with this.

We spend the vast majority of our time working, eating, playing, and living in relationship with family, friends, and co-workers. If my faith isn’t informing how I live my life, something else surely is. And that something is the accepted norms, values, and practices of my surrounding culture.

The virus enables Christians to assume they are theologically orthodox because they affirm correct answers to the questions of God, man, the fall, and salvation. Yet it prevents them from making a connection between these personal/spiritual topics and how they think about work, life, leisure, and the broader culture. While holding to a form of Christianity, in practice, they are functional atheists, Gnostics, or animists, depending on the culture from which they come.

This explains how Enron’s indicted former CEO, Ken Lay, while serving as an elder in his local evangelical congregation, could drive his company off a cliff. In business, you play by the rules; and in today’s America, the rules are established by the secular, pragmatic, materialistic culture. It is OK to “cook the books” and deceive shareholders, so long as you don’t get caught.

This is just want Satan wants, for the virus strips the church of its saltiness. It is no longer able to influence and shape culture. God’s truth is shackled—prevented from penetrating and saturating all areas of life and society. As a result, the nations are not discipled. Rather, the church increasingly reflects the values and practices of the nations. This is the tragic consequence: The failure of the church to understand, much less carry out, the Great Commission. The nations—trapped in structures of poverty, corruption, and tyranny—are paying the price.

This is the problem we exist to address. This virus has to be attacked head-on, exposed for the lie that it is. When Jesus said “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” he really meant it. His truth applies to every area of public life. It is not merely a message of salvation; it is an all-encompassing way of understanding everything. We are called not just to save people out of the world, but to bring the truth to bear in all areas, thereby living God-honoring lives and creating God-honoring cultures, starting with our families, churches, arenas of work and, ultimately, nations. As this happens, the nations are blessed, just as God promised they would be (Genesis 12:1-3).

God loves His Bride, and we see increasing evidence that He is awakening her to this inward threat. We believe God has raised up the DNA to be part of the solution, and we are grateful for your partnership in the endeavor.

In Galatians 5:13, Paul tells us Christians:

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Here, “the flesh” refers to the sinful nature of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit. You see, it’s not “natural” for us to be godly. We can thank Adam and Eve for that. But Jesus shows us how to live righteous lives and commands us to do so. (Romans 12:1-3)

WWJD? The Revival is not just another fad

Our mission is to help Christians strive to be Christ-like. It’s not easy. We are tempted by the world on a daily basis. That is why the small-group study that we’re preparing is so vital. When discussed in the small-group setting, the group members hold each-other accountable. That makes a big difference from just reading a daily devotional.

Please follow WWJD? The Revival on Facebook, Twitter or Google+. We will keep you updated on the progress of the study and when it will be available. In the meantime, look for devotionals, bible passages and encouragements.

God Bless,
Soli Deo Gloria!
Giselle Aguiar
Award-winning Christian Author
@giselleaguiar

Jun11

What it Means to Be “God Fearing”

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Giselle Aguiar

What it Means to Be “God Fearing”

Watching the 700 Club last week someone asked Gordon Robertson, “…fearing God. Why does God want me to be afraid of Him? No one would willingly give their life to someone they fear. Why would God want one to fear Him when that defeats the purpose of coming to Him willingly? It doesn’t make any sense.”

Having grown up Catholic, “God Fearing” was not in my religious up-bringing. I heard it in movies and on TV, but never really understood what it meant. I heard it meant to respect God and His power.

But Gordon Robertson clarified it. He said that the Hebrew translation of the word fear is really “awe.” We call God, Awesome, Almighty, All-Powerful, Creator, Ever-Present and Eternal.

It’s towards the end of the show:

So respecting God and His Word is part of it.

We respect His Word by obeying it.

“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.” ~James 4:6 NKJV

Excerpt from 365 Daily Answers to What Would Jesus Do?

The reader of the Scriptures should be a humble person, who shows reverence and fear [awe] toward the Word of God, who constantly says, “Teach me, teach me, teach me.” The Spirit resist the proud, even though they are zealous and preach Christ for a time without fault…Therefore it is humility that we need in the study of God’s Word. ~Martin Luther

Reflection: Some “scholars” have studied God’s Word and have decided that this or that event or Scripture is erroneous. Interestingly, quite often the parts of the Bible they want to eliminate are the ones that strike closest to home. If they can deem the passage not inspired, then they no longer are accountable to is truth. Those who, in humility, hear God speak through all of Scripture will profit–both now and in eternity–by their willingness to be held to its standard. If we ask, “What Would Jesus Do?” we need look no further than the Gospels to discover what our attitude should be regarding the Scriptures. Jesus often quoted the Old Testament as fact. He believed their accuracy.

So should we. (End of excerpt.)

Besides the scholars deciding that some Scripture is erroneous, we have readers of the Bible who pick and choose what to believe and what to obey. That, my friends, is not an option.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ~2 Timothy 3:16-17

When President Obama quoted the Bible when he declared that he accepted Gay Marriage, he said that Jesus told us to “love one another.” But yet, he ignores all other scripture that says that sexual immorality is a sin.

Love the sinner, Hate the sin

Even if a sin is culturally acceptable like sex outside of marriage or with partners of the same gender, it doesn’t make it right in the eyes of God.

Just as we respect God, we must respect other people who are sinners just like we are. It’s all a matter of allowing Satan and our sinful nature to rule our lives or let Jesus and the Holy Spirit guide us. (Romans 8:8-11)

And check out what Jesus said to the Jews. He called them “Children of the Devil” (John 8:42-47) that’s who we are outside of Jesus Christ.

We are in a war with Satan in this world. That’s why we MUST ask “What Would Jesus Do?” on a regular basis and strive to be like Christ.

Had President Obama asked, “What Would Jesus Do?” before he made his statement, I believe he would have not done it.

Remember what Jesus said to the adulteress in the Gospel of John after all her accusers walked away — “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:1-11)

Though we may not like or condone someone’s lifestyle choice, it’s not up to us to judge them. That’s up to God. We can only keep speaking the truth and God willing, if they truly fear God – revere Him, respect His Word - they will respect God’s Word and “leave their life of sin.”

WWJD? The Revival on Facebook
Twitter: @wwjdrevival

Check out these other great blogs:

Great Blessings!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Giselle Aguiar
Christian, Award-Winning Author
Follow Giselle on Twitter
https://twitter.com/giselleaguiar

Feb19

Resisting Temptation

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Giselle Aguiar

Resisting Temptation

This entry is part 23 of 23 in the series WWJD?

In two subplots in the movie Courageous, we see examples of integrity – one man who had it and one who didn’t.

How's Your Integrity?

Sheriff’s Officer, Shane Fuller, played by Kevin Downes, is a Christian, divorced dad struggling to pay his child support and alimony.

Javier Martinez, played by Robert Amaya, is Christian, married, father of two struggling to feed his family and pay the rent and bills. He hears about construction jobs, but when he gets there, they have enough men and he’s sent home.

Javier later gets a job at a factory and after a month, is presented with an offer. The company’s president tells him he can be promoted to a managerial position with increased pay if he would just fudge the inventory a bit.

Shane, is also tested daily. As the Sheriff’s Office arrests drug dealers in the city, Shane is in charge of getting the recovered drugs to the evidence locker. He is tempted to take one or two packets thinking that they wouldn’t be missed.

Which one do you think passed the test? Which one do you think stuck to the integrity and moral values of his Christian faith? Which one do you think fell to desperation and greed?

The answer is surprising. Sheriff Officer, Adam Mitchell, played by Alex Kendrick (who also co-wrote and directed the movie), notices that the amount of drugs collected doesn’t match the amount in the evidence locker. He suspects his partner, Shane, who is later caught in a sting and sent to jail.

Javier, after thinking it over and talking to his wife, tells his boss, that no, what he was asking him to do, lying on the inventory sheet, is dishonest and it goes against God’s Word. As it turns out, it was a test and Javier passed. They were looking for the honest, man of integrity to promote. They had tested many other people and Javier was the only truly, trustworthy person.

Read the rest of this entry →

Jan29

Do not Fear Death!

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Giselle Aguiar

Do not Fear Death!

This entry is part 10 of 10 in the series Don't Worry

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” ~1 Corinthians 15:55

Take care of your life; and the Lord will take care of your death ~George Whitefield

: Jesus conquered death so we wouldn’t have to fear it.

Jesus didn’t spend much time worry about His death. Even as the Gospel story progresses and Jesus knows that His hour is approaching, He continues His mission in life. For each of us, God has a day set aside for us to face death. Why then should we worry? Until that day, let’s just spend our time doing what He did.

Excerpt from:

Follow WWJD on Twitter

Check out these other great blogs:
Enlightenment, Encouragement & Enrichment by Giselle Aguiar, Award-Winning Christian Author

Deo Volente (God Willing) – covering writing, Christian church history and Christianity

Check out Giselle’s award-winning Christian novel: Deo Volente! (God Willing): Love in the First Century a historical novel about the early church check it out! $1 from the sale of each book – no matter what format, benefits StreetLight Phoenix to help eradicate child sex slavery. www.giselleaguiar.com/novel1

Great Blessings!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Giselle Aguiar
Award-Winning Christian Author
Follow Giselle on Twitter
https://twitter.com/giselleaguiar

Jan22

When Everything is Heading South…

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Giselle Aguiar

When Everything is Heading South…

This entry is part 1 of 3 in the series The Story of God

Excerpt from Chuck Foreman’s sermon 1/15/12 given at First Christian Church of Phoenix

Usually when things begin to go south in our lives, it’s not because we’ve had nothing to do with it. But we often look for someone else to blame. Those “downward spiral” times when everything in our lives just starts to hit the fan are precisely the times when we need to stop and take a long, hard look in the mirror. We need to get on our knees alone with God and honestly ask Him, “How am I doing, Lord?” What do you want to teach me right now? Not so-and-so, not my mate, not the government, not my bank—but ME!?

A couple of ‘spiritual tune up’ suggestions:

Memorize James 4:8 and take it like big boys and girls as if God were getting right up in our faces. It goes like this:

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ~James 4:8

We also need to understand and really believe that God is looking lovingly, deep into our hearts for something. He’s not looking for perfection; He’s just looking for openness to Him, a willingness to repent and change, and a desire to be used by Him.

Have you ever wondered what God does in his spare time?

Here’s what he’s up to:

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.~ II Chronicles 16:9a

God’s looking for a reason to rescue us, help us out of our downward spiral! He’s looking for some sign from us that we really want Him!

We’re going to see as we journey thru The Story of God this year together that rescuing His lost & fallen creation is THE PLOT in God’s Story—in Our Story.

Next: In the Beginning…

Great Blessings!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Giselle Aguiar
Award-Winning Christian Author
Follow Giselle on Twitter
https://twitter.com/giselleaguiar

Additional Reading: The Devil Made Me Do It

Jan8

Standing in Faith for Our Healing

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Giselle Aguiar

Standing in Faith for Our Healing

This entry is part 1 of 2 in the series Guest Posts

By guest blogger, Ronnie Dauber

Our communities are often plagued with some kind of sickness and when we get it, the first thing many of us do is go to the doctor. We put our confidence in the medical world and we tend to follow its direction and accept its diagnosis because this is the norm for this world.

Jesus heals the crippled man

However, as Christians we need to get out of this mind set and begin to focus on one issue and that is, What would Jesus do? And to take it a step further, “What DID Jesus do?”

Did Jesus hand out business cards soliciting reputable doctors? Did He send them to the nearest clinic to get examined? Did He tell them they needed medical insurance first before He would heal them?

No, Jesus had only ONE prerequisite to getting healed and that was to have faith.

We need to have faith in Jesus because the Bible says in Exodus 15:26 that He is the one who heals us.

Isaiah 53:4-5 says,

“Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows….. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.”

God is telling us to NOT go to the world for our physical healing but rather, to have faith in Him because He has already healed us – we just need the faith to believe it. And unfortunately, many of us miss this because we have one foot in the Christian doorway and the other still in the world. We need to seek His Word non-stop to get the truth into our hearts and know that He HAS healed us. We need to focus on Jesus and build our faith so we CAN believe.

Jesus heals the bleeding woman who just touched his robe

So much faith she had that she was healed just by touching His robe.

Romans 8:11 says that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us and will quicken our mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in us. This is the scripture that I held onto as I took my stand in faith last year to fight AND win my battle against cancer. I read the doctor’s report with the death sentence on my life, but I also knew that my body was the temple of the Holy Spirit. So I chose to follow God and trust Him for my healing rather than be at the mercy of chemotherapy. The Lord led me to a naturopathic doctor who helped me line my body up with the healing that Jesus had already given me.

Faith is not an easy stand to take because the world fights us and says it’s foolishness, yet it brings us into a divine relationship with God. And in the end, there is no greater reward than knowing that we trusted God for our healing and now His Holy Spirit, through us, can continue His mission on earth.

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Cor. 3:16

Ronnie Dauber is a Christian who knows what it’s like to stand in faith and believe God for healing against all the odds. She is the published author of a y/a adventure series and has an inspirational blog called, “Smile, God Loves You”, where she posts frequent messages of encouragement on faith. It’s her commission in life to help other Christians grow in faith so they can have a divine relationship with the Lord and live victorious lives here on earth.

Official website of Ronnie Dauber: http://ronniedauber.ca

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Jan5

6 Traits of a Leader

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Giselle Aguiar

6 Traits of a Leader

This entry is part 1 of 1 in the series Christian Leadership

In this time of predictions for the new year, as one reads them, one wonders if they will come true. Did last year’s predictions come true? Probably not. But we have to realize that the unforeseen keeps making the future unforeseeable.

We can plan and set goals, but one thing is certain, there will be obstacles in our paths and how we deal with those is the sign of a person who follows God’s teachings or the Devil’s.

Whether you’re a leader or a follower, these 6 traits are what a godly person should have that will help them handle any crisis. And when you think about it, they are the traits we should look for in presidential candidates.

Integrity: the person’s life and words match
Justice: the person rejects dishonest gain
Convictions: the person’s values won’t allow their to accept bribes
Positive Focus: the person refuses to dwell on destructive issues
Pure: the person disciplines their mind to remain clean and pure
Secure: the person is firm, stable in their identity and source of strength (God)

Adapted from Leadership Promises for Every Day by John C. Maxwell based on Isaiah 33:14-16

There is no perfect candidate just like there are no perfect people. Only Jesus is perfect and a godly person strives to be Christ-like and that shows in how the person lives.

People change. We need to look at the change for the better which shows that they have the traits listed above. Watch for these traits in the presidential candidates.

We all make mistakes. It’s how we handle ourselves when we realize our actions were wrong is the sign of the WWJD? person.

Follow WWJD on Twitter

Check out these other great blogs:
Enlightenment, Encouragement & Enrichment by Giselle Aguiar, Award-Winning Christian Author
Deo Volente (God Willing) – covering writing, Christian church history and Christianity

If you enjoyed this, you’ll love Giselle’s award-winning Christian novel: Deo Volente! (God Willing): Love in the First Century a historical novel about the early church check it out! $1 from the sale of each book – no matter what format, benefits StreetLight Phoenix to help eradicate child sex slavery. www.giselleaguiar.com/novel1

Great Blessings!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Giselle Aguiar
Award-Winning Christian Author & Inspirational Speaker
Follow Giselle on Twitter
https://twitter.com/giselleaguiar

Dec10

Even Christians get Lost Sometimes

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Giselle Aguiar

Even Christians get Lost Sometimes

This entry is part 18 of 22 in the series Striving to be Christlike

Excerpt from Jon Taylor’s sermon, First Christian Church of Phoenix, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011

Trail in Dreamy Draw, Phoenix Mountains

We end up in places where we feel lost. We go down roads that take us away from who we really are.

What are these roads we go down that make us feel lost spiritually & emotionally; that make us feel like we are going towards an unintended destination?

Fear: of loss, humiliation, risk, rejection; timidity, being hurt
Self-doubt; guilt; unworthy
Worry; anxiety
Discouragement; loss of meaning, purpose
Busyness; doing more and more
Independence; self-reliance; pride
Dissatisfaction; critical spirit
Feeling condemned by God and others

There are consequences to sin, but not condemnation

Hurtful words from others
Loss of identity

Possessions
Opinions of others
Wearing masks to please others

These are all lies of Satan!

We build up walls and lose our way when we allow one or more of these to enter our lives and one day we wake up feeling like we’re in the largest parking garage in the world and we have no idea how to find our car, let alone how to get home.

What leads you away from who you really are?

These are lies and Satan wants to keep you there, but often we are accomplices. He tells the lies, but we are accomplices when we believe the lies. (Examples from list – “you’re right, I can’t do that.” “You’re right, it’s good to be so busy doing all these things.”

What I needed, what we all need, is to be reminded of who we really are. Look at this list:

A Reminder of Who You Are

I am made in God’s image: Genesis 1:26-27
I am God’s child:  John 1:12
I am a friend of Jesus:  John 15:15
I have been justified:  Romans 5:1
I’ve been united with the Lord and am one with Him in Spirit:  1 Corinthians 6:17
I’ve been bought with a price…I belong to God:  1 Corinthians 6:19-20
I am a member of Christ’s body:  1 Corinthians 12:27
I’ve been chosen by God and adopted as His child:  Ephesians 1:3-8
I’ve been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins:  Colossians 1:13-14
I am complete in Christ  Colossians: 2:9-10
I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesu:  Hebrews 4:14-16
I am free from condemnation:  Romans 8:1-2
I cannot be separated from the love of God:  Romans 8:28
I am free from any condemning charges against me:  Romans 8:31-34
I was washed…I was sanctified. I was justified in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of my God:  1 Corinthians 6:11
I am hidden with Christ in God:  Colossians 3:1-4
God started this work in me, and he will bring it to completion:  Philippians 1:6
I am a citizen of heaven:  Philippians 3:20
I haven’t been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind:  2 Timothy 1:7
I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me:  1 John 5:18
I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life:  John 15:5
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit:  John 15:16
I am God’s temple:  1 Corinthians 3:16
I am a minister of reconciliation:  2 Corinthians 5:17-21
I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm:  Ephesians 2:6
I am God’s workmanship:  Ephesians 2:10
I can approach God with freedom and confidence – not because of my obedience, but because of Jesus’ obedience:  Ephesians 3:12
I am a new creation: 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am dearly loved: 1 John 3:1; John 3:16

You can choose to trust God that this is who you really are!

God is far more interested in who you are becoming than what you are doing.

Here’s a sampling from Scripture as to who He wants you to become:

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ~Matthew 18:3

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. ~Matthew 20:26

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. ~Romans 6:18

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

[until] we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ~Ephesians 4:13,15

Decide: to stop listening to Satan’s lies, to put on the truth of Scripture, that you want to become who God created you to be!

Choose: courage, trust, humility, service, encouragement, contentment, dependence, power, love.

Be: transformed as you let God work in your life. Experience true life change!

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. 2 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.~ Romans 12:1-2

Become who God wants you to be. Don’t conform to this world. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Let God’s Word transform you into who He wants you to become.

Follow WWJD on Twitter

Check out Giselle’s award-winning Christian novel: Deo Volente! (God Willing): Love in the First Century a historical novel about the early church check it out! $1 from the sale of each book – no matter what format, benefits StreetLight Phoenix to help eradicate child sex slavery. www.giselleaguiar.com/novel1

Great Blessings!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Giselle Aguiar
Award-Winning Christian Author
Follow Giselle on Twitter
https://twitter.com/giselleaguiar

Dec8

God will meet all your needs

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Giselle Aguiar

God will meet all your needs

This entry is part 9 of 10 in the series Don't Worry

…my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:19

Faith in God will not get for you everything you may want, but it will get for you what God wants you to have. The unbeliever does not need what he wants; the Christian should want only what he needs. ~Vance Havner

WWJD? Reflection: Did Jesus have all He needed while He walked on the earth? Of course. His Heavenly Father saw that He had His needs met. For us to ask: “What Would Jesus Do?” we must realize, no matter what our financial status, that we are very, very, very rich. Our Father has for us “glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” In Him we have all we need to live life.

What else could we possibly want?

Excerpt from

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May7

The Holy Spirit – God’s Gift to Us – After the Resurrection – part 6

Posted on May 7, 2011 by Giselle Aguiar

The Holy Spirit – God’s Gift to Us – After the Resurrection – part 6

This entry is part 6 of 6 in the series After the Resurrection

The Holy Spirit – God’s gifts to His believers.

Read Acts 2

The phrase “filled with the Holy Spirit” congers up pictures of folks rolling down the aisles of a church speaking gibberish. That’s not what it’s about.

The Holy Spirit is a gift from God when someone becomes a believer in Jesus Christ. You can only receive the Holy Spirit by receiving Jesus Christ into your heart and being baptized.

The Holy Spirit gives believers the power to overcome temptations from the devil. The Holy Spirit also brings us special “fruits”:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.~Galatians 5:22-25.

But you don’t automatically get the fruits. The devil doesn’t like that you’re a believer and he’s going to tempt you and mess up your life every chance he can get. That’s when you call on the Holy Spirit to help you. The Holy Spirit will deliver those fruits and all you need to do is ask.

What you need to remember is that the Holy Spirit is there, inside of you 24/7. It’s how Jesus lives in you when you become a believer.

How do you become a believer? It’s easy. To have eternal life with Jesus, just pray this prayer wholeheartedly and sincerely:

Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.

Being a Christian is a journey of faith with the goal to be closer to God and live like Christ and sometimes it is a struggle for some Christians to live like Christ. It also doesn’t guarantee that life will be trouble free. God sends trials to test our faith. So we must read the Bible to grow stronger in faith.

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Great Blessings!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Giselle Aguiar
Christian, Award-Winning Author
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May1

After the Resurrection – part 4 – Gospel of John – Doubting Thomas

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Giselle Aguiar

After the Resurrection – part 4 – Gospel of John – Doubting Thomas

This entry is part 4 of 6 in the series After the Resurrection

Read John 20:19-31

I’ll believe it when I see it. That’s something you say when you’re told something rather outrageous, unbelievable or from someone who’s not exactly trustworthy.

Like when you hear about an overweight friend who’s been notoriously lazy say they’re joining a gym and planning to lose 40 pounds before Christmas. You reply, “Yeah, right – I’ll believe it when I see it.”
When Christmas rolls around and the person lost the 40 lbs. and more, you’re reaction is different, “Wow! You look great! You did it!”

If you had not seen the person, you would not have believed that they lost the weight. Or would you have taken someone else’s word for it?

Or when a politician promises something. That’s easy.

Why do you think Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”? (John 20:29)

He knew that the disciples’ upcoming challenge was getting people who did not witness His death and resurrection to believe in Him and that it really happened. We still have that problem today.
How can you believe in something you can’t see?

We do it all the time. Take gravity for instance. We can’t see it, but we know what would happen if we didn’t have it. It’s a law – no doubt about it.

I could name some other things like time, air, etc. But that’s not the point.

The Rapture is coming. Jesus will come back for His believers and then there will 7 years of tribulation. If you say, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” sorry, Charlie, but it will be too late.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) That is the law of the New Testament. There’s no getting around it. And unfortunately, we also know what will happen if we didn’t have Jesus – we’d die and burn in Hell forever.

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. ~John 20:31

That’s what Faith is all about.

To have eternal life with Jesus, just pray this prayer wholeheartedly and sincerely:

Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.

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Great Blessings!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Giselle Aguiar
Christian, Award-Winning Author
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Dec28

Fight the Good Fight

Posted on December 28, 2010 by Giselle Aguiar

Fight the Good Fight

This entry is part 3 of 21 in the series Christianity

Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. ~1 Timothy 1:18-19

This has been a tough year for a lot of people – me included. “Holding on to faith and a good conscience” isn’t easy.

We easily get angry and frustrated at obstacles, issues, government, the weather, evil people and other “things” beyond our control. Many times we react with anger, agression, in ways outside of our normal character.

We have to realize that yes, these things will always be around – usually when you least expect it or need it – and they are beyond our controll. We just have to deal with it and not let our frustration show never mind take it out on innocent people.

Know that God is control. Life happens. God is there 24/7.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ~1 Peter 1:6-7

God gives you TESTS so you can have TESTIMONIES.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ~John 16:33

Stop and think before reacting – WWJD?

God Bless
Giselle
Soli Deo Gloria
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God’s Story—Our Story: The Reign of Christ—Now and Forever

Sermon by Chuck Foreman, Teaching/Missions Pastor First Christian Church—November 11, 2012

Heaven can wait, Government can save us…

SALVATION & POLITICS

God’s Story is Our Story: Let’s review what he’s been up to and where he’s taking us…

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Coram Deo: Before the Face of God

In Galatians 5:13, Paul tells us Christians:

WWJD? The Revival is not just another fad

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We respect His Word by obeying it.

Love the sinner, Hate the sin

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In two subplots in the movie Courageous, we see examples of integrity – one man who had it and one who didn’t.

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“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” ~1 Corinthians 15:55

Take care of your life; and the Lord will take care of your death ~George Whitefield

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A couple of ‘spiritual tune up’ suggestions:

Have you ever wondered what God does in his spare time?

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We end up in places where we feel lost. We go down roads that take us away from who we really are.

What are these roads we go down that make us feel lost spiritually & emotionally; that make us feel like we are going towards an unintended destination?

These are all lies of Satan!

A Reminder of Who You Are

Here’s a sampling from Scripture as to who He wants you to become:

Decide: to stop listening to Satan’s lies, to put on the truth of Scripture, that you want to become who God created you to be!

Choose: courage, trust, humility, service, encouragement, contentment, dependence, power, love.

Become who God wants you to be. Don’t conform to this world. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Let God’s Word transform you into who He wants you to become.

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What else could we possibly want?

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The Holy Spirit – God’s gifts to His believers.

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Sermon by Chuck Foreman, Teaching/Missions Pastor
First Christian Church—November 11, 2012

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” ~1 Corinthians 15:55