Tag Archives: Holy Spirit

Jul22

Conduct Unbecoming a Christian

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Conduct Unbecoming a Christian
This entry is part 22 of 22 in the series Striving to be Christlike

bible readingIf you’ve served in the military or watched any war movies, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “conduct unbecoming an officer.” It’s a charge with sometimes severe consequences if an officer does something that an officer shouldn’t do.

As Christians, we are supposed to act like Christ. It’s expected of us.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he stresses this:

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. ~Phil. 1:27a

What’s important are the first two words: “whatever happens” – that means at all times, in all circumstances, no matter what.

There’s no excuse for not behaving like a Christian!

It’s not easy. But God gave us two invaluable tools: the Bible and the Holy Spirit.

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it. ~Luke 11: 28

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. ~Galatians 5: 22-26

Each morning, before we start our day, we need to ask God for strength and guidance to conduct ourselves worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Check out these other great blogs:

Deo Volente! (God Willing): Love in the First Century by Giselle AguiarIf 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
Christian, Award-Winning Author
Follow Giselle on Twitter
https://twitter.com/giselleaguiar

Jan10

4 Misperceptions of the Christian Life

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4 Misperceptions of the Christian Life
This entry is part 20 of 21 in the series Christianity

In 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 we read:

Cracked clay jarBut we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Sometimes as Christians, we get complacent with what we know and what we think we can do. Here are 4 misperceptions of the Christian life:

1: Misperception: I can rely on my own power to live the Christian Life

Reality: Jesus’ glory is revealed in my weakness and as I’m transformed.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

Just like jars of clay, we are vulnerable, breakable, but we hold invaluable messages. Any power that we have is from God not from ourselves.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.~2 Timothy 1:7

You can trust God – You’ve seen Him work in your life so you believe and speak accordingly. The same God who raised Jesus will raise you up, too!

We are wasting away outwardly, but inwardly, we are being renewed (transformed) day by day.

2. Misperception: Once I’m saved, I can do what I want and play it safe

Reality: I need to die to myself and be a witness for Christ

We carry the death of Jesus in us so His life may be revealed in me, as I dei to myself.

Paul faced a lot of hazards on a very regular basis: threatened, hardships, beaten, people trying to ruin his ministry, etc. But he had given up his life for the sake of Christ. the death and life of Jesus are present with us all the time. Death through baptism, and life by the Spirit living in us.

Romans 6:3-11; Galatians 2:20; Matthew 16:24

We die to ourselves and He lives in us. We have new life – Born Again!

3. Misperception: The better Christian I am, the easier life is and the more God is please with me.

Reality: God’s power sustains me through hardship and distress and as I endure, I become more like Jesus.

We will all face trouble to some degree. Hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down.  Our light and momentary troubles strengthen us.

Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4; James 1:12

The futre glory is being achieved now through our troubles. We fix our eyes on what is unseen (eternal) and not on what is seen (temporary).

4. Misperception: life is about this world and the here and now. What can I get in this life? It’s all about me.

Reality: It’s about God’s Kingdom coming to the earth through us!

  • It’s about Jesus’ glory revealed in my weakness as I’m transformed to be more like Him.
  • It’s about our need to die to self and to be witnesses for Christ
  • It’s about God’s power sustaining us through hardship and distress and as we endure, we become more like Jesus.

Adapted from “Misconceptions Message” delivered by Pastor Jon Taylor, 2/14/10, First Christian Church of Phoenix

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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

Jan9

3 Parts of Being a Disciple of Christ

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3 Parts of Being a Disciple of Christ
This entry is part 21 of 22 in the series Striving to be Christlike

Adapted from the sermon “2011 an FCC Odyssey” presented 1/8/12 by Chuck Foreman a First Christian Church of Phoenix

Jesus left us a lot of great teachings, but only 2 commands:

  1. Love one another (John 13:34-35)
  2. Make disciples of all peoples (Matthew 28:19-20)

Our goals as Christians are to help people find Christ and teach them how to follow Him, obey Him and become real-life disciples to see real change in our lives, churches, communities and nation.

The Great Commission

Jesus instructing His Apostles to make Disciples of all the nations Matthew 28:19-20

A Disciples Life Experience happens in 3 areas:

HEAD – Committed to following Christ (lifestyle): Romans 12:1-2; Luke 9:23;

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ~James 1:22

HEART – Committed to being changed by Christ (attitude): John 13:35; Philippians 2:5-8

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ~Galatians 5:22-23

HANDS – Committed to the Mission of Christ (service/ministry): Matthew 4:19; John 15:8; Corinthians 5:19-20

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.~Ephesians 2:10

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…~Ephesians 4:11-12

The Word of God and the Power of the Holy Spirit are the only things that bring real life change to anyone — or any church!

We must be sensitive to God’s leading and open to change when it seems right.

Learning to travel with God and His People is an adventurous journey — like an odyssey. Let’s live 2012 with WWJD? attitude as true Disciples of Christ

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
Follow Giselle on Twitter
https://twitter.com/giselleaguiar

Oct8

But our citizenship is in heaven

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But our citizenship is in heaven
This entry is part 18 of 21 in the series Christianity

But our citizenship is in heaven ~Philippians 3:20

We all long for heaven where God is, but we have it in our power to be in heaven with Him right now–to be happy with Him at this very moment. But being happy with Him now means loving like He loves, helping like He helps, giving as He gives, serving as He serves, rescuing as He rescues, being with Him 24 hours a day–touching Him in His distressing disguise. ~Mother Teresa

WWJD? Reflection: Why wait until we die to enjoy heaven? By living out the life of Christ in our daily live, we bring heaven to earth. We bring the attributes of heaven–happiness, joy, peace, security and all else that is divine to those we encounter.

As we walk the steps of Jesus today, let’s remember that we’re ambassadors of a heavenly kingdom and the fragrance of that kingdom lingers behind us as evidence that heaven has come to earth twice–first in the person of Christ 2000 years ago–and again in the Body of Believers He has called to represent Him.

From:

Great Blessings to you!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Giselle Aguiar
Award Winning Christian Author
www.giselleaguiar.com/novel1
Follow Giselle on Twitter
https://twitter.com/giselleaguiar

Jul17

The Power of the Holy Spirit

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The Power of the Holy Spirit
This entry is part 13 of 21 in the series Christianity

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”~Acts 1:8

The Spirit of God gives power to those who want to hear His voice and serve Him. A person may desire to do something and not have the power to do it, but that power can come through receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

You may remember that Jesus was baptized by immersion in water, but He was also baptized by the Holy Spirit. In other words, he was immersed in power, which enabled Him to do the task His Father sent Him to do. Acts 10:38 says, “God anointed jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power,” and that He “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (nkjv)

Before Jesus’ public ministry began, He was anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are able to hear God’s voice more clearly and we are equipped for service in the Kingdom of God because we are able to draw on the power (ability, efficiency and might) of the Holy Spirit we received when He came upon us to be His witnesses. This power enables us to do what God wants us to do.

It is important to see that Jesus did not do any miracles or other mighty acts until after He was empowered by the Holy Spirit. If Jesus needed the power of the Spirit, we certainly do, too. Ask Him to fill you with the power of His Spirit today and every day.

You have access to power–turn on the light!

From “Hearing from God Each Morning”(July 17), by Joyce Meyer

May7

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

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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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Check out these other great blogs:

Deo Volente! (God Willing): Love in the First Century by Giselle AguiarIf 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
Christian, Award-Winning Author
Follow Giselle on Twitter
https://twitter.com/giselleaguiar

May1

The Gift of the Holy Spirit – After the Resurrection – part 5 – The Book of Acts

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The Gift of the Holy Spirit – After the Resurrection – part 5 – The Book of Acts
This entry is part 5 of 6 in the series After the Resurrection

The Book of Acts (aka The Acts of the Apostles) was written by Luke as an addendum to his Gospel. He continues the historical narrative of the transition from the life of Christ to the Church.

Read Acts 1

First Jesus tells the apostles not to leave Jerusalem, that God is going to send them a “gift”.

But the apostles think that the “gift” is God taking the Romans away and giving Israel their “kingdom” that was promised long ago. (Israel didn’t become it’s own nation until 1948 – God kept His promise.)

To that Jesus replied,  ”It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” (And people are still trying to figure out when He’s going to come back!)

Jesus continues, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Once they receive the Holy Spirit, they are to go into the world and spread the Good News of that Jesus conquered death and who ever believes in Him would also conquer death and live forever with Him in Heaven.

They were to tell everyone – even the gentiles.

Then Jesus was lifted up into the clouds and “two men dressed in white” stood beside the apostles as they stared into the sky.

Who were they? Angels? Moses and Elijah? It doesn’t matter. It’s what they said that matters, “…why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

God keeps His promises. Jesus will return soon, first he’ll summon His believers to join Him in Heaven (The Rapture), then comes the Great Tribulation and finally He’ll defeat the Antichrist (the devil) and He’ll come back to the New Earth to reign in peace. Only His believers have a room reserved there.

But even YOU can get your reservation in Heaven. 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.

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Check out these other great blogs:

Deo Volente! (God Willing): Love in the First Century by Giselle AguiarIf 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
Christian, Award-Winning Author
Follow Giselle on Twitter
https://twitter.com/giselleaguiar

Jan20

Led by the Spirit

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Led by the Spirit
This entry is part 11 of 23 in the series WWJD?

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.~Romans 8:14

God has placed in your heart some specific yearnings that are sent to guide you in to the place where God would lead you. Follow your godly yearnings. Trust your spiritual instincts as they align with God’s Word. Be led by the same Spirit that led Jesus.

365 WWJD: Daily Answers to What Would Jesus Do?
From 365 – Daily Answers to What Would Jesus Do?

God Bless,
Giselle
Soli Deo Gloria
www.giselleaguiar.com/wwjd

Jan19

Our world today – the seven deadly sins

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Our world today – the seven deadly sins
This entry is part 10 of 23 in the series WWJD?

“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power.”

Doesn’t this passage describe our world today? Kind of describes the seven deadly sins: greed, pride, gluttony, lust, sloth, wrath, and envy – the things responsible for the status of our current situation. Let’s break each one down:
Greed: wanting the best, fastest, newest, hottest; wanting more money. We bought houses we couldn’t possible afford and the banks let us. 
Pride: boasting that you have the best, fastest, newest, hottest, most luxurious.
Gluttony: wanting more food than our bodies need. Over 1/4 of Americans are overweight or obese. 
Lust: sex is everywhere you look. When advertisers discovered that “sex sells”, we were bombarded.  There’s no such thing as love at first sight – it’s lust at first sight.
Sloth: we are a sloppy bunch. Single people tend to be guilty of this. Who cares if the house is dirty? No one else is going to see it. 
Wrath: anger – uncontrollable desires for malice or revenge. “Going postal” doesn’t mean you’re mailing a letter – you take a gun, go into the office of the employer who just fired you and start shooting at random. 
Envy: better than the Joneses. Envy goes together with greed and pride. Someone boast that they have a new car and you need to go out to buy a better one. The grass is NOT always greener on the other side. 
That first passage was written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy a young pastor in a church in Ephesus in the first century A.D. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Paul ends this passage by saying, “Have nothing to do with them.” Easier said than done, right? 
So how does one avoid that. Look at the seven heaven virtues: charity, humility, temperance,  chastity (purity), diligence, patience, kindness. 
Those are very similar to the fruits of the Spirit: 

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 5:16-25

When you accept Christ as your savior and are baptized, you receive the Holy Spirit in your heart and you have access to these fruits. You don’t automatically get them, but when you need them, all you have to do is ask the Holy Spirit for help. 
Notice that self-control is the last, but I think the most important one. The devil’s temptation is everywhere and the only way we can fight it, is to call on the Holy Spirit.  

When you’re about to lose your self-control, that’s when you need to ask your What Would Jesus Do?
WWJD bracelet green glow in the dark WWJD wristband
God Bless,
Giselle
Soli Deo Gloria
Jan2

Spread the Word

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Spread the Word
This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Evangelism

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.~2 Timothy 4:2

You can’t preach the word unless you read the word. When’s the last time you picked up a bible and read more than just a devotional or the lesson from Sunday’s sermon?

Many people own only a King James Version and when they start to read it, they put it down because it’s hard to understand. If that’s the only version you have at home, go online to either www.biblegateway.com or www.crosswalk.com and choose either the NIV – New International Version or the NLT – New Living Translation. Both the sites offer commentaries that explain the verses.

Read a chapter at a time, read it more than once, stop and think of what God’s trying to say to you and how you can apply that passage to your life.

Jesus calls His followers to spread the Good News. That’s not always easy to do and we’re labeled “bible thumpers” and “Jesus Freaks”. I say, let them. Yep, that’s what I am.

The best way to evangelize (spread the Word) is to get to know the person, their story, understand where they’re coming from, become a friend and talk. Other ways are by actions, deeds of kindness, loving your neighbor, stopping to think WWJD? before speaking or acting foolishly or harshly.

You carry Jesus’ light in you. The Holy Spirit gives you love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…(Galatians 5:22-25) and you can call on the Spirit to back you up whenever you need it. You, Christians, are the Light of the World.

Dedicate 2011 to God and read His Word daily so you can help Spread the Good News.

God Bless,
Giselle Aguiar
Soli Deo Gloria
www.giselleaguiar.com/wwjd
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Jan2

Starting A-Fresh

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Starting A-Fresh
This entry is part 6 of 22 in the series Striving to be Christlike

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.~ Philippians 3:13-14 

It’s over! Yay! 2010 was a rough year for many folks, including myself. Unemployment, foreclosure, moved twice, leaks in closets, heck, so much bad stuff happened, I already forgot most of it. I had to. If I dwelled in the past, I’d get depressed and you can’t go on a job interview if you’re depressed.

The advice in the passage from Philippians is what we all need to follow. No matter what mistakes we made last year, what things we said that we wish we could take back – it’s time to forgive and forget.

Look at 2011 with anticipation.

Dedicate this year to God –that you will put God first in every aspect of your life. Look up for strength and wisdom.

Do you have some New Year’s Resolutions? Did you keep the ones form last year? The Holy Spirit gives us patience and self-control – two of the fruits needed to keep resolutions and goals. Call on the Spirit when you are tempted. The Spirit is a gift that Jesus gave us when we accepted Him into our hearts. This is one gift you don’t want to return.

Happy New Year!
Feliz Ano Nuevo!
God Bless,
Giselle Aguiar
Soli Deo Gloria
www.giselleaguiar.com/wwjd
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