life teaching daily

1. I. PURIFICATION:

1. 1. SIN

Sin is an action or thought that is violating the will of God. It is the will of God for Adam and Eve to Obey Him (Gen.2:16). These first people are given the right freedom, but to fulfill one command ‘It is to do the will of the Father’.

What Triggers Sin?

1. Yielding into temptation.

The Temptation itself is not a sin (it is everywhere), it is when you yield into temptation where you will commit such horrible act (Gen. 3:6).

Temptation will remain as it is, if it is not being touched. If you are advised by your doctor not to eat ice cream because you have some throat issues, the ice cream will serve as an object of temptation.

1. Answering the call of the Flesh

The Flesh and Spirit can never become best of friend, the same logic where you will never see a mouse and a cat playing with each other. Many Christians have the desire to get serious in reading God’s word, but unless you beat your flesh, this desire will never be realized. Selfishness is one of the primary symptoms that you are answering the call of your flesh. When God was more pleased with the offering of Abel, the reaction is based on his flesh, and this led him to great sin (Gen. 4:8).

1. Ungratefulness

We are definitely pleased to hear “Thank You” than “I’m Sorry”. How about Jesus our Lord? Will he have the same expectation?

A person who is ungrateful is deaf, mute and blind to the blessings bestowed upon his life. It is so hard to express gratefulness when you are grumbling. You can say to someone that you are thankful, but your mind and heart may on the other side. Yet, there is one supreme being that we cannot trick, he knows if we are truly grateful.

Ungratefulness leads to idolatry, the Israelites had witnessed how the hands of God rescued them, yet they are a bunch of ungrateful people. Because of this, they have indulged themselves in idolatry (Exodus 32-34).

Questions to Ponder:

1. Why God hates Sin?
   1. Why should I do to get rid of my sins?

2.DESTRUCTION

Anything ongoing is a process. Destruction is a process in which something is being destroyed, the worst case, this can be something that could not be repaired or restored. Last November 8, 2013, the super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), has destroyed thousand lives.

There are many factors that may destruct an individual. This can be pains, weariness, problems and many more. The body, mind and emotion have their personal struggle in facing destruction, yet when it comes to spiritual destruction, all those aspects can conspire.

When you wanted to reach out to God through prayer, and suddenly you can feel that your head aches so badly like it wanted to explode. If you are not desperate enough to seek God, you will just stop praying and find a way to get off the pain. Keep in mind, Satan is a master of destruction (John 10:10), it is indeed his mission.

Elements of Destruction:

1. Environment- It can be the community, office or school you are in that will let you out of focus of knowing the will of God for you.
2. People- If people exists, and so as issues. One can be distracted because of some family members, friends, partners or anyone.
3. Self- This is the greatest destruction, because you will be hearing voices out of your own inner being.

Faces of Destruction:

1. Lies of Enemies- You should know the word of your God very well, so that you will not be trapped with the lie of Satan (John 8:44)
2. Doubt- To doubt is to lose your trust to your savior. To think you are better than your God, you are better than your spiritual leaders or Pastors.
3. Fear- God is not a God of Fear. So, if you live in fear, you still didn’t receive the freedom found in Christ alone (John 8:36)

Questions to Ponder:

1. What are the things that take my time, love and commitment to my God?
2. What should I do to develop a sense of focus is terms of the way I live as a Christ follower and and in my service?

3.SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Ephesians 6:10–12 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

As part of part of the process of purification, it is very important to know better your opponent. Is someone provoking your anger?

There are times in our Christian walk, we face various conflicts and confrontation. However, it’s highly important to know who are we fighting with. We should not rage war against our families, church or other people. Instead, we will declare full battle with the power behind all of these, we are should be fighting against the schemes of the devil.

Right until we understand who are our real enemies, we will keep on fighting in a wrong battlefield and we are not fighting for God, instead we are fighting against the people whom God loves.

We should not be threatened for any Spiritual warfare, for our Commander in Chief in on our side. But, for us to be fully equipped, we should walk through the Spirit and not by the flesh (Gal. 5:16).

In our Spiritual warfare, remember you are one of the soldiers of the battalion of God, so be sensitive with your fellow soldiers, always prepare yourself for back up. Most of all, take heart and follow the signals of the Holy Ghost, to be victorious in this battle.

Questions to Ponder:

1. How am I as a soldier in God’s army?
2. What should be my right reaction in every Spiritual battle I will face.

4.TESTING

To be tested is a refining process, and unless learned, same tests will come on your way. Most students are afraid to take exams, this is for one thing, they are afraid to fail.

Many a times, we wanted to better stay in our shells, and will not be tested and are challenged. But, unless we will allow trials, problems, tribulations and all sorts of test will pass on, we cannot step to the next stage (Romans 5:3-4).

What does testing produce?

1. Perseverance- being steadfast is such a hard thing to do. It takes the grace of God for you to persevere on life’s testing.
2. Hope- Hope is an inner assurance that after the darkness, the sun will soon rise. Without hope, one will have served as fuel to keep believing and keep going (Heb. 6:19)

Both perseverance and hope can strengthen one’s faith. To have faith is to believe wholeheartedly the things that are not visible to the eyes of man, but is magnified through the eyes of God.

There are many biblical characters that had undergone overwhelming testings. Testing can be perceived differently by every person, since not all are under the same trials. Yet, it takes faith to believe that rocks can be turned to diamonds. Always keep in mind, that every time you face any testings, God is always updated and in control, and even provide ways to overcome them, for God never abandons His people (Isa. 43:2).

In time, you will decide to get more committed or recommit yourself to God, always prepare your whole being. Since, it is the same calling testings and challenges in your life.

Questions to Ponder:

1. What should be the right response when my faith is tested?
2. What attributes should I obtain, in order for me to pass the various tests that are coming on the way?

5.PRIDE

What is Pride?

Pride is a silent killer of our Faith and Christian walk.

In our Christian walk, our main target is to glorify Jesus Our Lord (verse)

Sometimes we think we are doing well, but it is no longer our love and Commitment to Jesus that push us to do the tasks of God. Sometimes, it is mere pride.

Pride is a secret agent of our Flesh, it is very expert at pretending, and it hides in the shadow of our character.

Until we learn to swallow our pride, we have no choice but we are blocking the Holy Ghost to move in our lives.

If there is a presence of Pride, then the Humility is not around or vice versa.
Some people are even claiming they are humble, and it can be a symptom of being boastful. Let God and People see that you humble yourself, so that God's plans will be fulfilled through you.

If we wanted to be purified, but we are aware that we have hidden a small amount of Pride in our hearts, then we know exactly what hinders us to speak to our Holy God.

Pride is a great weapon of the enemy to put us down. It is a lie that will let us believe that we are right all the time, that we are much better than others and a lot more.

A heart that is proud shall be opposed, yet a humble one shall be exalted (James 4:6).

Discernment is the adviser of Pride, it will remind us to think things well through How God thinks and feel. In short, to have discernment is to have a perspective of God. Yet, Pride is so hard headed and does not heed to any advice.

Be careful my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. You should be too close to the Father and know how great, powerful is He. So, that you will not allow a seed of Pride to grow in your life, for its fruits produces all kinds of destruction. Never let anything that is unpleasant in the eyes of our God will grow on you.

Caution:

Too much Pride will kill us within.

Questions to Ponder:

1. How do you view Pride?
2. Have you done something in order to swallow your pride? What are those? Are they helpful enough?

6.OBEDIENCE

Obedience is a full compliance with the authority. Partial Obedience is still disobedience. It takes a leap of faith to obey, since not all is according to our will.

However, when we obey God, there is an assurance that He will take control of everything. If we go back to the word of God, He is very clear of His perspectives towards obedience. If we obey God, blessings will follow, yet if we tend to disobey, then curse will do (Deut. 11:26). And, the list of curses is far more than the blessings. So, we should know very well what will happen if we messed up with our omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God.

To obey the Father, is to surrender our will, and let His will be done. Obedience is much better than sacrifice (1 Sam. 15:22). Many a times, in our day to day lives that we take some sacrifices. We all know that to sacrifice is not a nice feeling, and sometimes we thought we have pleased God about it already. Unknowingly, our Father will be more pleased if we obey His will, as we desire to be more like Jesus every day.

Unless we obey, we will just remain same scenario of life. Unless you climb a mountain, you will not see the whole city from the top. Unless we follow wholeheartedly what God wants us to do, we can never grasp a godly vision. If we keep on disobeying the maker of the universe, the lover of our souls over and over, then we will soon perish (Proverbs 29:18).

Questions to Ponder?

1. Have I fully obeyed my God?
2. In which are of my life that I haven’t fully surrender to my Savior?