Author: Amancio Rosas

Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God. Received Ministerial Studies with Leadership Honors at Global University. Received Bachelors in Ministerial Leadership. Pursuing Master’s of Divinity.

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Luke and Acts Personal Journey Uncategorized

Best Of Both World’s (Luke 1:28)

As we experience life’s challenges we cannot enjoy the sunny days without the rainfall. We cannot enjoy joy without first feeling disappointment. Life has a balance of both joys and sadness to provide a unique story that God is establishing us in our time here on earth.

While reading the Book of Luke I will share my reflections upon Scripture and the Study Notes provided by the Fire Bible I got for my Ordination. Let’s go ahead and dive in!

According to the Study Notes from Luke 1:28, it states that “God calls someone to a specific mission for him, It will almost always involve blessing and suffering, joy, and sadness, successes and disappointments.”

We have a desire about the mission that is instilled with individuals pursuing their lives for God and His mission for us. We are reminded that just because we follow God’s will that “no problems with occur and everything will be smooth and without issues.”

That is far from the truth; When it comes to the mission of our lives it is a journey of trusting God and believing that He will follow through. Simone’s desire for his mission is the see the coming messiah and knew his mission was complete when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to him. The Holy Spirit prompted this event which helps us to trust the Holy Spirit’s leading when it comes to our lives.

Nobody wants to wait but you cannot enjoy something valuable without a price to pay. Waiting shows the importance and commitment to show how valuable something is. Waiting comes with preparation and consistent prayer which is what we see Simeon illustrating.

I remember the mission God called me to start a Christian Club at my High School campus. I knew that this wasn’t going to be easy and that there will be plenty of joys and disappointments. From relational problems with individuals, to petty conflicts, to my church eventually splitting. There are always moments to look back and say “Wow this was so bad and disappointing.” But then I remember the mission that God called me during that time which was to Seek the Lost, Empower Believers, Serve The Campus, and Start A Legacy. I truly believe that even though the radical change of my life to the point that people were throwing apples toward me while walking by the cafeteria. I stayed constant with my mission to make Jesus known by my actions and words. I saw a lot of fruit and people even now that we are adults can trust my insights regarding faith and practice. They can trust my insights about Jesus because they saw me living out my faith during high school. People will refer to me as a Jesus Freak which was fine because that shows proof that my life was focused on Him.

Whatever you are going through don’t forget that there will be the best in both worlds of the good and bad. Let those two develop a story worth telling for the hope that we cannot appreciate the good moments now if we haven’t gone through disappointments.

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Educational Journey Luke and Acts

Module 1 Reading Log/Journal

When it comes to learning about the Gospel of Luke it’s important to learn about the historical background to get a better understanding of the context of the overall scripture. One of the things that got me interested regarding this reading was concerned with issues of social status and social stratification. When it comes to the Jewish world “classes” are commonly based on the status that you are labeled. On page 10 of the textbook, it gives out the highlights of the different people groups that are mentioned. Learning about the different groups will help us understand the culture and the interactions that Jesus faced in the midst of His ministry.
Learning about Jewish culture and their practice is important to relate with the culture and understand the background based on practices that they held. Jerusalem Temple is the lifeline of Jewish practice based on their obedience to the law. “Moreover, portraits of Jewish piety appear in references to prayer, worship, fasting, and expectant waiting and, indeed, to the representation of life oriented around the Jerusalem temple.” (14) We see Jesus being involved in the Temple and the synagogue when it comes to teaching the Torah and telling the audience the fulfillment that is taking place. It is important to see why there was resistance because the Jewish people valued the Temple and having Jesus state things about himself they consisted it as blasphemous.
I appreciate the statement that the context states about Luke’s narrative approaches. “For Luke, “narrative” is proclamation. Luke has in mind the use of history to preach, to set forth a persuasive, narrative interpretation of God’s work in Jesus.” (19) That point that Luke uses His narrative to preach and we conclusion principles based on a historical narrative is something I have seen people say it’s invalid to allow principles on Acts to be taken as foundational beliefs. The point of the look is persuasive interpreting God’s work in Jesus. I can conclude that his writing in the Book of Acts is seeing God’s work through the Apostles or through a Pentecostal perspective seeing God’s work by the Holy Spirit.

Green, Joel B.. The Theology of the Gospel of Luke (New Testament Theology) (p. 14,19). Cambridge University Press. Kindle Edition.

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Educational Journey Luke and Acts

Luke/Acts Discussion Forum 1

Here is my response regarding my discussion forum! Hope you gain something out of it!

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Personal Journey Uncategorized

We Are Great Listeners But Not Great Followers

The hardest thing to do is to look at yourself in the mirror. Our culture is deeply focused on belonging and security. It is easy to believe that we are secure with the things we do instead of allowing God to know us. What do I mean?

We know that we are called to follow Jesus and to listen to His voice.

Scripture states that:


My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27

There is a connection when it comes to being followers of Jesus. In order to listen, you must follow which means you must be obedient.

God spoke to my heart about obedience and certain things that I have been lacking in that area in my life. We sometimes don’t want to “listen” because there is a price to pay by following Jesus. We justify our sinning based on cultural acceptance instead of denying ourselves daily and picking up our cross. “Oh, Jesus didn’t specifically mention that activity”, but yet the principles state otherwise. We could always pull out the mentioning of a specific action to justify the behavior. But you cannot change the principles that demand accountability for your actions.

When it comes to convictions Paul stated this:

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.

1 Corinthians 10:23

We must find things that are benefiting us and not causing us to make dumb decisions. I have my share fair of unwise decisions that I am currently reaping because I haven’t dealt with my inner man and listening to God, denying myself, and following Him. When God spoke obedience He MEANS it and if you do not listen then don’t be surprised by the consequences of your actions. You will either be wise and listen or face the discipline based on love. I may not know your weak spots and your flaws but God is right there waiting for your honest repentance. No more “I will stop starting today” but then end up doing the same thing a few weeks later. This is why we desperately need to be surrendered under His authority and lordship in our lives. He is our Savior who saves us from our sin and our Lord who keeps us accountable to live transformed lives which are only through Him.

Make A Decision And A Plan For The Future:

Everyone can have an idea, but if you do not have a plan then how can you be accountable for following up your idea?

The decision starts today, but God will handle the rest.

For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,

and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2

I understand that we will never be perfect, but I also understand that this shouldn’t be an excuse to justify our sin. While we are fallen based on our sinful nature, we have Christ who is there to create us new. So if you are not growing, becoming new, and listening to Jesus and what He requires us to do, then are you really new?

Can you honestly look back throughout the year and say that you have changed? Of course, there are maturity aspects but what about the spiritual aspect of your life? What about those triggers that the enemies know about and who will keep placing temptations in order for you to fall? Or a habit you know that isn’t healthy but you claim that “this is who I am” to make it seem justifiable.

I have struggled so much this year in a spiritual sense, while I was committed to listening to Jesus I was not willing to follow His direction. That’s a lot of us and I want to remind you that it’s not too late to surrender.

We are called to be living sacrifices to God:

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.

Romans 12:1

We offer ourselves not based on what we do for the church but based on our relationship with Him. We are so busy with life and ministry that we forget who we are truly doing this for, Jesus.

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Educational Journey

Hymes, David. “Numbers 11: A Pentecostal Perspective.” Article Critique

If you want to read the full article Click Here.

Hymes, David. “Numbers 11: A Pentecostal Perspective.” Article Critique

Amancio Rosas

The following article is an introduction regarding three different types of modern Pentecostal readings when it came to academics. This Article provides perspectives of both agreements and disagreements about the different theological statements that these individuals stated in their investigation on Numbers 11. David Hymes’s works have been published which is found in the Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies. I will be providing an article critique on his work based on my observations and my understanding of the difference of both his observations of other academic individuals who wrote their commentaries regarding this text.

Summary:

3 Modern Readings

The article provides 3 modern readings regarding this Scripture and the different perspectives that it’s been talked about through statements. The two themes found were the leadership office enablement and the Spirit empowerment that we both see in the passage. Wonsuk Ma and Roger Cotton both see the similarities about this phenomenon since there was prophesying which is meant to be a sign than just a one-time scenario. The second perspective is focused through a Non-Pentecostals lens regarding glossolalia. Gordon Wenham talks about utterances that connected it with the New Testament account of speaking in tongues. Nobutoshi Kiuchi supports Wenham’s observation by representing a theory about ecstatics tongues connecting as certain experiences that end up to be common throughout that time frame. John Levison is against this point of view and focused on the uniqueness of this experience as being just an experience but not a common one. The focus He highlights is the dreams and visions that are mentioned in Joel 2.

Rolf Knierim provides a few steps about the exegesis of Numbers 11 that doesn’t support Pentecostal observations. He states that this account must be read through as a biography of Moses. He also states the importance of the context of Scripture that should highlight the real meaning behind the passages. Isolation for him isn’t common practice in interpreting Scripture and rather focuses on the unity of explanations to examine the truths presented. Lastly, the scriptures shouldn’t be taken as a multi-meaning but just a simple theme that is united through the context of Scripture. By not focusing on the main point and emphasizing the different highlights hinders the purpose of the background to present the real meaning.

David Hymes Analysis of Numbers 11:

Hymes notices that there is isolation when it comes to passages from the Book of Numbers that we can gain understanding and connection from. The context comes from Numbers 10 and 12 to get insights into Moses and the realities it provides. The story of God’s provision for the Israelites regarding food is stated by their complaining. The plotline about the elders is to provide Moses’ desire not based on fulfillment but based on restoring relationship with God and His People.

The elders served to help carry the load with Moses so he won’t be stuck carrying the load alone. The empowerment factor is the purpose of the Pentecostal perspective, when reading without the perspective the meaning is different. The event wasn’t based on empowerment but courage and boldness for the situation. There was a transfer of power when it came to prayer so it is said that Moses transferred wisdom to the elders. Moses desired everyone to be prophets which is simply to emphasize the roles and not the event.

He then approves Moses’s centric interpretation that the focuses should be on Moses as the main character of the plot. When it comes to the giver of the gift that is focused by not just a prophet or Moses but God who provides the provision. The focus of Moses’s spirit is the aim focus when power and driven actions are being cultivated. Learning the periods and traditions helps bring the gaps by learning about the discontent of people.

The Pentecostal view is focused on the prophetic promise for believers, but the disagreement is laying flat by the isolation of the passage which is more than just prophetic but dealing with murmuring which may be focused on the plot. The main goal that is presented when viewing this account as an intercessory challenge towards those than having people desire to be prophets.

My Observations:

Moses’s Desire | God is the provider of gifts

My suggestion when it comes to Moses’ desire for everyone to be prophets is the forthcoming of the Holy Spirit. Throughout the Old Testament, we see glimpses of the Spirit’s power when it came to empowering those for the task that was given. I do not believe the narrative of Moses being the only individual that shows the power of the Spirit if other people were able to prophesy as well which to me personally eliminates the argument of Moses being the only specific person that can hear from God. God needs to be viewed as the provider of the gift of prophecy to those He wants to receive it; Unless the other prophets were demonically inspired which isn’t the case we can conclude that this isn’t a Moses narrative versus other themes and emphasis of the biblical accounts. The purpose of examining Scripture within the context is looking at other information around the environment that we can conclude based on our perspective and not just a focus. If we do not have our eyes open on additional details, then we will lose other insights that can guide us towards interpretations that can bring unity instead of causing division.

Empowerment | Eldership | Wisdom

When it comes to the eldership moment when Moses gathered the 70 elders towards the tabernacle. The LORD spoke to Moses and took the Spirit and gave it to the 70 elders. This shows personally that God can give individuals in this case the Spirit to whomever He wants. While we see that this didn’t happen again it shows that God is the one that prompts the Spiritual Gifts to be activated. Eldad and Medad were prophesying because of the Spirit’s influence which rested on them which concludes Moses’s objection to His desire. Was this moment just an office type of approval that because the elders had the Spirit resting on them or could it be for empowerment? I agree that both could be simplified by the task of an elder which it would be wise for the LORD for the empowerment to be granted while the Spirit has rested on them which caused them to prophesy.

God’s Spokesman | Exchange | Intercession vs Spirit Baptism

It makes sense that throughout the generations He has called specific individuals to be the one’s that have spoken on His behalf. This was the function of the office of a prophet or those operating in this gift. There is the concept of anointing where people can lay hands to distribute some type of gift or power through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in this case the Spirit of God. Impartations were common for the purpose of empowerment and exchange meant to pass down the anointing to make an impact on the next task that God has for the individuals. We have Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, and others throughout the Old Testament who supported this type of exchange. Now the opinion about whether this was intercession or Spirit Baptism. This conclusion can be confused by the terminology of “They did not do this again” I wouldn’t come to the conclusion of this being an intercession because intercession is focused on continuing prayer. While Spirit Baptism is an inner working of the individual allowing sanctification, justification, and spirit-filled living to produce. I do believe that after the experience they received some type of empowerment which provides more awareness of the Spirit.

Conclusion:

I enjoy theological perspectives based on individuals’ backgrounds and their view of Scripture. This article provided the challenge of Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal views. I did agree on certain points of the articles and some I do not agree with and believe there needs to be a more overall examination. I provided my insights regarding the desire Moses had and how God is the ultimate gift giver. I challenged the battle between empowerment and election and how I see both being a part of the equation and the importance of service. Then stated the last point about God using people by passing along the exchange of anointing and the purposeful section of Spirit Baptism as an ongoing awareness of the Spirits involvement in the Old Testament. This article challenged my views on how to explain scripture, and learn to be balanced and understand both approaches and make a clear assessment.

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Uncategorized

3 Aspects Of The Holy Spirit: Help (P.1)

Audio Version

I made it my journey to take a deep study of the Holy Spirit in this next season of my life. I’m taking a huge step to be mindful of God’s presence in my life and allow myself to reflect while allowing the Holy Spirit to provide inspiration and communication in my life and in things that need to be changed. I do plan on writing a book about my investigations, so this is a sample of the type of work that I will be providing for you guys.

To learn all seven titles, I made it easy and simplified it into three simple words, the first of which being help.

The Holy Spirit Helps Us:

There are three areas that the Holy Spirit can help us as believers that I would like to highlight:

1.) Comforter:

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – The Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

John 14:16-17

He is called our Counselor which, translated in Greek, means “Someone called alongside to help.”

I love the fact that we are not alone in our struggles, problems, or issues. We have the Holy Spirit to comfort us through tough times. He is there to listen to you, hear you out, be there with you. He is not there to have your problems magically go away, but He is there to come alongside you to help you go through it. Whenever you feel down and out, remember that you can call on Him to comfort you.

I remember when the Holy Spirit came alongside me to comfort me through a job situation. Conflict was arising and I knew a transition was about to take place. After a couple of tears, I just knew deep inside that something had to be done to proceed forward with His Will. Comfort leads to action because you have a sense of security to press on. I knew deep inside that if I didn’t have the Holy Spirit to comfort me and believe that everything was under His control, I wouldn’t be able to take the risks I have been taking up to this day.

2.) Spirit of Life:

6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 8:6

God is the author of life, He breathed Adam to have life from the dust of the Earth.

Jesus throughout His ministry provided life through healing, resurrection, and restoration.

The same goes with the Holy Spirit as He has these types of characteristics as well.

I don’t know what type of healing you need. The Holy Spirit, who is also the Spirit of Life, can provide life and health through the physical, the mental, and spiritual aspects of our lives.

We can pray and allow the Holy Spirit to provide life in those aspects of our lives.

Knowing this about the Holy Spirit helps me be effective when I pray for healing while not being based on our core doctrines of Divine Healing, but based on the characteristic of life. Whether healing is instantaneous or progressive, it’s the faith factor of believing in prayer until it is answered that’s the main focus of our faith. I make sure to follow up with those I am praying for to see how they are doing, allowing the Spirit of Life to do its purpose and work in the individuals that I am praying for.

3.) Holy Spirit:

The name itself provides a goal that the Holy Spirit has in our lives. Holiness is being set apart and being dedicated to God. That is the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives to become Christ-like through pursuing holiness knowing that we are living dedicated to God.

This is where we can allow the Holy Spirit to bring things that are not Christ-like so we can repent and be changed through His power.

Temptation is on the rise even when you are pushing to do God’s Will. The key is to allow ourselves to be humble before the Holy Spirit and allow Him to generate the transformation power to develop Christ-like characteristics that are Holy. We will never reach perfection but we can reach progression and reflection to become like Christ. Now whenever I am going through fear, doubt, temptations of lust, bitterness, or pride, I am reminded that the Holy Spirit is here in my life to change and to help me avoid those opportunities that can lead me to my downfall. Be obedient to His voice and He will take you to areas that you may not be able to go through without the change of your character.

While this is a basic type of introduction, I will be providing my investigation and documentation of my experiences with the Holy Spirit. He is the one who comes alongside us to help and we must allow Him to do His role in our lives.

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Personal Journey

New Chapter Statement

My Faith Journey is an understatement. God tends to keep guiding me in different directions and allowing me to learn and see the lessons that I am being taught. Here is my motivation for the next couple of months until God changes my assignment.

My Faith Journey | Pastoral Statement | Covering

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Educational Journey Personal Journey Uncategorized

Your Testimony Has Power

Audio Version Of This Post

I remember the words I was thinking about regarding testimonies and how valuable they are. My testimony is a treasure because of the rich value it provides in my life and the effects it can have to provide hope for others in their walks with Christ.

I just finished a Discussion Forum regarding storytelling and the importance of how the biblical author used it to provide theology and insights that we can gain. Our testimonies can be the confirmation of the theology of Scripture which provides validation and standard of our basis of faith. No one can discredit your testimony because it is your experience. But I noticed within our church culture we focus too much on what people have been through in the past and not on the involvement of what God is doing now. Here is what I wrote regarding Testimonies and how the church can teach through storytelling.

The Church's most common way to teach through a story is through our testimony, but sadly a lot of us stop on that segment of storytelling and need to retell and redevelop stories of how God is being involved in our lives. Testimonies are great for personal witness about how we made a commitment to Christ and our situations connected with that but learning through our own struggles and situations we can relate through our interaction with Scripture. God is setting up stories for us to tell those around us.
The Holy Spirit does a good job of convicting us when we interact with Scripture to produce a change in our lives which concludes witnessing of a story that can be told through the confirmation of Scripture. 
- Amancio Rosas

When disciplining new believers in the faith I would allow them to go through a program that includes a segment on writing their testimonies. Here are the following three guidelines that I explain and teach:

1.) Your Testimony Brings Remembrance

It is a human habit to forget, our minds are designed to process things in our lives to remember the valuable moments and forgetting moments that are deep inside in the backburner. It is easy to forget what God has done in our lives due to our forgetfulness. Our Testimony helps us remember what we have been through and writing an account will keep us humbled because it was Jesus who helped us in our lives. This keeps us from being critical towards others and their walk with Christ including when they are first starting. The Holy Spirit plays a part to help us remember things in our lives. While Jesus spoke to His disciples about how the Holy Spirit will bring in remembrance everything that was taught and spoken. We can be in full confidence that He is still active in that role today when it comes to what Jesus has done for us and what we have learned from Him.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26

2.) Your Testimony Has Power

Storytelling is common throughout Scripture since a good amount is narrative accounts. We can learn theology based on the narrative account since they paint a picture in our minds about the complexities of different outcomes. Just like we take serious about context, it is the principle and application which should confirm the seriousness of context. Revelation 12; Depending on your views on prophetic writings, it has a mixture of different literary techniques but the main purpose is to take this verse and provide the common principle when trying to confirm the purpose of testimony.

They triumphed over him

    by the blood of the Lamb

    and by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives so much

    as to shrink from death.

Revelation 12:11

While the context is about the war that is going down with the “Women” and Michael, it is obvious and makes sense that the blood of the Lamb in our lives today washes away our sin. When we are reminded about what Jesus has done in our lives and His bloody sacrifice we are reminded of the power of the blood of the lamb. The word of their testimony is where I want to emphasize the importance of your identity. Your testimony has the power to not only to remind but to overcome. This serves to help others overcome their struggles through Jesus because of our witness and praying over them based on the power of Christ through the sacrifice that we provided for the forgiveness of our sins and the testimony of salvation that keeps our foundation firm during life.

3.) Your Testimony Is Ongoing

Your life doesn’t end when you accept Christ in your life. Not sure why so many people believe that and then do not live transformational lives, Seeing God being involved, and slowly go back to their old life. When we are reminded and know that is power then we can have continued to allow God to shape more stories that will benefit those around us. We must allow God to use us in the good times and difficulties to provide hope for those around us.

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Educational Journey Personal Journey Uncategorized

3 Views On The Word “Create”

Audio Version Of This Post

It’s not surprising that I have felt a tug in my heart to focus on this one specific word “consecrate.” But wait isn’t this post about the word “create” yes it is but before we get into that let’s go through a little update about the motive behind this explanation.

Consecrate:

To consecrate is to be set apart, to be in total commitment for God and His purposes. This is the definition that I came up with because of my past experiences of how this word meant in my personal life. It is common in our lives to be comfortable, acceptable about certain habits and attitudes, and forget our focus on the kingdom, and learning to navigate the life that God has called us to live by.

I am currently going through the Pentateuch as a personal study through the first five books of the Bible. Currently, in my University classes, I am taking the Torah which is the Hebrew Term for Law. It wasn’t until I came to this explanation of what “create” means, opened up a whole new meaning in my personal life. Let’s go ahead and dive in.

To Create Is To Separate:

We can look throughout the Genesis Story that God decides to separate things when creation was happening. From darkness between light, water between sky, and water between ground. (Genesis 1:1-9)

I am reminded of the scripture regarding David to “create a clean heart”

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10

To have a clean heart, God must separate our hearts which are wicked to bring renewal and restoration as you could see that this impacts us to have the right spirit as our attitudes and actions are being changed but separation is the key.

My question is what is something you need to allow God to separate in your life for creation to personally take place? In order for God to create there must be separation.

To Create Is To Give Life:

As you go on regarding the creation story we see an element of life-giving when it comes with the terms of “produce, make, give,” those are life-giving terms to illustrate creation. (Genesis 1:24-31)

This is the most common view that people have. Which makes sense because our main purpose is to create things that are good in our lives. Through Christ scripture states that:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

How is this new creation becoming? It is becoming due to the giving life to the new. The newness is what is developed in the process of creation. From the beginning God created through life-giving terms we have confidence that our new creation is life-giving.

Jesus states His purpose on why He came according to the gospel of John.

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” John 10:10 NLT

Other translations focus on the word “have” which you can’t have something without it being created.

To have newness and life we must separate and then allow life to begin but even before life can start to express this is the most important aspect that we tend to forget.

To Create Is To Let Things Die:

While we know that God created life, Humans because they decided to be disobedient towards God allowed Sin to come into the world to provide death. This was not God’s design because out of God’s protection He wanted to protect us from this state for not even being close to the tree of Life. While Death was used as a curse, God can use this to provide a way for creation to be purified. (Genesis 3)

It was the death of Jesus that provided life and reconciliation for us to have a relationship with God. What was once a consequence of sin from the fall is now the solution for salvation in our lives.

We are commanded to “put to death” of our earthly nature according to Paul.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: Colossians 3:5

Death is good in this reasoning because if we do not do our part of putting things to death, the new cannot be cultivated through the Holy Spirit. Do you remember that this should be done daily as Christians?

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

We are no longer living for ourselves because we put our desires to death and now we are living for Christ as living sacrifices to seek the Will of God. The purpose of creation to is to be in the Will of God!

Creation in essence is a process of separation, life giving, and death.

What are certain things you need to allow God to separate?

What are certain things you must say no and put to death In order for God to renew, restore, and give life in your life?

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Personal Journey Uncategorized

Your First Moments Matter

Throughout our journey when it comes to our relationship with God, we can often admit that life can overtake us, creating distractions and hindrances without knowing there’s a disconnect. Busyness and distractions are part of life and are things we must navigate to keep being persistent in keeping God first.

First Encounter:

I remember my first encounter when it comes with my relationship with God. Growing up in religion and developing a religious background, I thought I was all set by pleasing my parents and following the requirements I was told to follow. It wasn’t until God dealt with my hardened heart and learned that my sins could be forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ that I felt true freedom. Once the altar call was announced, I received a Word about the situation and circumstances in my life. I knew it was time to give my all for Christ, as a sinner, needing His grace and sacrifice for the forgiveness of my sins. I wish I could tell you that everything was rainbow and sunshine but that’s not logical in the Christian Life.

Wrestling:

While reflecting on Jacob’s account, I noticed an important aspect that I would love to highlight regarding the constant battles that we still have to face as imperfect people that God is willing to use for His Glory.

Jacob Wrestling With God. (Genesis 32:22-32)

Jacob was left alone with a man until daybreak. We see wrestling happening when it comes to these two throughout this section of scripture. Jacob was overpowering the individual to the point to where Jacob got his hip wrenched.

1.) Pain is the process of wrestling

Jacob wanted a blessing from God which is why he didn’t want to let go. This shows how much endurance and perseverance Jacob has developed and matured throughout his journey. The fact that he didn’t want to let go and the overpowerment of consistency is what showed his perseverance. Pain was the result but was a reminder of the faithfulness of the blessing. Grace is a free gift but blessings cost because it demands persistence. Brokenness is a reminder of how much we desperately need God to provide for our need.

2.) Jacob’s Name Change

Because of his actions, Jacob, at the time named James, requested a name change. Names are important when it comes to identifying who you are in the Hebrew culture. Jacob means “supplanter” and “deceiver” while Israel means “one who struggles with God.” Due to this encounter with God, Jacob, who was formerly known as Israel, had a transformational encounter with God. While we as believers no longer change our names to prove our character, we can admit that an encounter with God can produce a change of heart and action.

3.) Transformation is Developed through Pain

While a lot of leaders focus on experience to get ahead, it is those who go through pain who receive growth. We want to believe that we will live a happy and fulfilled life as Christians, but pain is part of that experience. You don’t have a change of heart by knowing, but by reflecting and pondering on the condition and willing to be broken by your sin. We tend to fall short, feel guilty, and then ask God to take the guilt away. I think we must embrace the discomfort of our sin and embrace the pain that not only is imparted by us, but the pain that God feels by our shortcomings. Praise God that He is a gracious God, but He does grieve by our actions when we do not comform to His Will.

4.) Transform and Stay Transformed (Genesis 35:9-12)

Jacob had to rededicate himself and his family to God again. One of the beautiful aspects of this is the fact that God wanted Jacob to go back to where they first met (Genesis 28:10-22). God then reaffirmed that His name is now Israel and what He will do in His future generations by the covenant He gave to Abraham and Isaac. I remember my born again experience was full of joy, passion, and excitement. I would assume that Jacob felt the same when he encountered God for the first time at Bethel. He went through a difficult situation where he failed and succeeded. To reaffirm again, he went back to the same spot to rededicate himself as someone who is transformed.

We must have a constant reminder to not only celebrate our victories, but to remain in God’s presence to keep growth and transformation as our focus. When we set our minds to please God, we don’t gratify the desires of the flesh but are following the Spirit. Let us be reminded that no matter the battle, need, or struggle we have, we must go through brokenness to be reminded we need to allow God to transform us.