If you are ready for real change to take place in your life, I invite you to pray the following prayer (you can customize it to fit your own particular needs):
"Lord, cleanse the temple of my heart, by turning over the tables that I have stacked with defiling gains, unrighteous objects, and selfish pursuits; drive out anyone who leads me to sin –not allowing true worship to occur. In your precious and holy name, I pray –amen."
This should be our initial prayer when we realize that the fullness of the Godhead (Deity) wants our hearts back! However, often times we have neglected to keep our "temples" in order, allowing sin to dwell in it (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17); we have filled our hearts with all kinds of unclean possessions and ungodly achievements. It's time for a major "Spring-cleaning" job to take place –and there's only one Person who can do that: Jesus Christ, "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9, NASB). We need to grant Him an "all-access pass" into every area of our beings, handing Him the keys, permanently.
As we begin to think about God abiding in our hearts, many passages of Scripture take on a whole new meaning –as the passage cited above, on the first letter to the Corinthians, which speaks about each and every believer as being "a temple of God," where His Spirit dwells. On that same train of thought, the apostle continues with the parallel of our hearts as temples, and concludes by asking a question, followed by a bold statement: "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
No one in their right mind dares to defile a temple! People would not dare to drink liquor or smoke a cigarette, as they walk into a church –for such action is understood as disrespectful. However, when it comes to our bodies–which are temples of God–hardly anyone of us stops to think about the ramifications of our actions and poor choices. How the things that we eat and drink, and the many habits we pick up along the way, can (and often do) easily defile our beings.
Therefore, our responsibility is great, as temples of God where His Holy Spirit wants to dwell. We ought to pay close attention to our actions, and how we treat our bodies, not only when it comes to the things we ingest through our mouths, but also those that sip into our minds by our sight and our hearing. King Solomon emphasized this, by saying: "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life" (Proverbs 4:23). While it is our duty to guard our hearts, it is only Jesus who can put it in order. Let us, therefore, allow Him to come in and transform our habitation into one that is worthy of a King.
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Friday, January 23, 2015
The White Elephant
"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake" (Philippians 1:29, KJV).
According to this verse we are given two very significant gifts on behalf of our Savior Jesus Christ. Two gifts of equal value; two gifts that will be present in the life of every Christian. The first one all of us accept, but the latter one most of us reject. We should get to the point where we are willing to accept them both, by His grace.
Most of us never think about it, but the verse above tells us that "believing" is a gift of God; it does not come natural for us to believe in someone who we cannot see. If it was up to us we would probably never believe –so thanks be to God for the implantation of faith (belief) into our hearts! For this reason no one should brag about their faith, nor should we accept someone else's praise, "For it is God which worketh in [us] both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).
It is clear then that faith comes from God. But, how does one grow in faith? The Bible has the answer, as it reads, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2a). It is because of Christ that we are given the gift of faith, and it is through Christ that we grow in our faith. Think about it, why is it that only a few people grow up to be faith giants, while the great majority remain dwarfed in their faith? I don't claim to have a definite answer, but perhaps the key is found in what we just read: "Looking unto Jesus..." The NASB renders it as "fixing our eyes on Jesus," which carries the meaning of "narrowing in" or "locking in" on a particular subject. Since Jesus is the "author and finisher of our faith," we should behold Him constantly, and not lose sight of Him.
Yet faith (belief) is not the only gift that we are given; we are granted the opportunity (or honor) to suffer for Christ's sake. In our day and age of comfort, hardly anyone would consider "suffering" an honor –quite the opposite, actually! We want to be served quickly and effectively; we expect our livelihood to improve as time goes by, and we do everything in our power to avoid pain or suffering. I mean, that's why we go to school, put up with mean bosses, and work long hours; we kill ourselves so that we can achieve a piece of the pie in the sky. More comfort and less pain—seems to be on everyone's wish list; less suffering, and more rewards. However, this desire for everything to be peachy cream in our lives, contradicts what's found in the Scriptures. Let us take a look, then, at the least desired gift in Scripture; the "white elephant" gift to Christ's followers.
During His ministry, Jesus made it clear that suffering was part of being His disciple. Early on He said, "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:27, ESV). You cannot carry a cross–literal or symbolic–without experiencing some type of discomfort. Carrying a cross is not only a humbling experience, but it is also a painful one. To be true disciples of Christ we must be willing to rid ourselves of everything, in order to gain it all. For anyone that "does not renounce all that he has cannot be [His] disciple" (v. 33). We have to be willing to lose before we are ready to win.
Even earlier, Luke recorded Jesus as saying, "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" (9:24-25). Losing one's life would be the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of Christ. While not all of us (that believe) will have the honor of dying for the sake of Christ, we should all be willing to follow Him all the way to the cross, if required. The apostle Paul understood this when he said, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21, KJV). He did not desire death, but accepted that there was more to life than the here and now; he looked beyond this life and unto the eternal (Heb. 11:13-16).
How can we get to the point where our faith is strong enough to endure it all for God? The author of Hebrews admonishes us to "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted" (12:3). The same way that we grow in faith, is the same way in which we can endure through suffering: by beholding Christ. The address continues, saying that "It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons [and daughters]. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" (12:7). The word "discipline" looks a lot like the word "disciple," and perhaps they have a lot more in common than just a few letters! Only a disciple would be willing to be disciplined by his master; a follower would simply turn away and leave.
There's a very thin line here, that I don't want anyone to cross. Please understand that God doesn't delight in our suffering; He is a God who's very nature is love (1 John 4:8). The Bible also declares that God will one day "wipe away all tears from [our] eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain..." (Revelation 21:4, ESV). Tears, grief, sorrow, and death were never part of God's plan. Why then do the righteous suffer? Here, too, we are given an aswer: "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). It is not God's desire for His children to suffer needlessly, yet all who become His children will suffer to some degree. God's enemy is prowling around seeking to devour us at every turn (1 Peter 5:8), but we can rest assure that God is still in control. May our focus never be on the suffering or the pain, but in the One who suffered and died, and yet rose triumphant –Jesus Christ.
Therefore suffering is part of our growing. The closer we come to Jesus, the more courage we have to follow Him wherever He leads. History is a witness to this fact, for at Jesus' apprehension "all the disciples left him and fled" (Matthew 26:56b). However, after Jesus' resurrection, and the disciples' upper room experience (Acts 2), all were valiant and bold, even unto death. We too, have the capacity of developing a faith that is strong under any circumstance, if we simply make a habit of beholding Him. May we all decide to do just that, today, and joyfully accept the gifts that we've been given.
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
According to this verse we are given two very significant gifts on behalf of our Savior Jesus Christ. Two gifts of equal value; two gifts that will be present in the life of every Christian. The first one all of us accept, but the latter one most of us reject. We should get to the point where we are willing to accept them both, by His grace.
Most of us never think about it, but the verse above tells us that "believing" is a gift of God; it does not come natural for us to believe in someone who we cannot see. If it was up to us we would probably never believe –so thanks be to God for the implantation of faith (belief) into our hearts! For this reason no one should brag about their faith, nor should we accept someone else's praise, "For it is God which worketh in [us] both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).
It is clear then that faith comes from God. But, how does one grow in faith? The Bible has the answer, as it reads, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2a). It is because of Christ that we are given the gift of faith, and it is through Christ that we grow in our faith. Think about it, why is it that only a few people grow up to be faith giants, while the great majority remain dwarfed in their faith? I don't claim to have a definite answer, but perhaps the key is found in what we just read: "Looking unto Jesus..." The NASB renders it as "fixing our eyes on Jesus," which carries the meaning of "narrowing in" or "locking in" on a particular subject. Since Jesus is the "author and finisher of our faith," we should behold Him constantly, and not lose sight of Him.
Yet faith (belief) is not the only gift that we are given; we are granted the opportunity (or honor) to suffer for Christ's sake. In our day and age of comfort, hardly anyone would consider "suffering" an honor –quite the opposite, actually! We want to be served quickly and effectively; we expect our livelihood to improve as time goes by, and we do everything in our power to avoid pain or suffering. I mean, that's why we go to school, put up with mean bosses, and work long hours; we kill ourselves so that we can achieve a piece of the pie in the sky. More comfort and less pain—seems to be on everyone's wish list; less suffering, and more rewards. However, this desire for everything to be peachy cream in our lives, contradicts what's found in the Scriptures. Let us take a look, then, at the least desired gift in Scripture; the "white elephant" gift to Christ's followers.
During His ministry, Jesus made it clear that suffering was part of being His disciple. Early on He said, "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:27, ESV). You cannot carry a cross–literal or symbolic–without experiencing some type of discomfort. Carrying a cross is not only a humbling experience, but it is also a painful one. To be true disciples of Christ we must be willing to rid ourselves of everything, in order to gain it all. For anyone that "does not renounce all that he has cannot be [His] disciple" (v. 33). We have to be willing to lose before we are ready to win.
Even earlier, Luke recorded Jesus as saying, "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" (9:24-25). Losing one's life would be the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of Christ. While not all of us (that believe) will have the honor of dying for the sake of Christ, we should all be willing to follow Him all the way to the cross, if required. The apostle Paul understood this when he said, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21, KJV). He did not desire death, but accepted that there was more to life than the here and now; he looked beyond this life and unto the eternal (Heb. 11:13-16).
How can we get to the point where our faith is strong enough to endure it all for God? The author of Hebrews admonishes us to "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted" (12:3). The same way that we grow in faith, is the same way in which we can endure through suffering: by beholding Christ. The address continues, saying that "It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons [and daughters]. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" (12:7). The word "discipline" looks a lot like the word "disciple," and perhaps they have a lot more in common than just a few letters! Only a disciple would be willing to be disciplined by his master; a follower would simply turn away and leave.
There's a very thin line here, that I don't want anyone to cross. Please understand that God doesn't delight in our suffering; He is a God who's very nature is love (1 John 4:8). The Bible also declares that God will one day "wipe away all tears from [our] eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain..." (Revelation 21:4, ESV). Tears, grief, sorrow, and death were never part of God's plan. Why then do the righteous suffer? Here, too, we are given an aswer: "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). It is not God's desire for His children to suffer needlessly, yet all who become His children will suffer to some degree. God's enemy is prowling around seeking to devour us at every turn (1 Peter 5:8), but we can rest assure that God is still in control. May our focus never be on the suffering or the pain, but in the One who suffered and died, and yet rose triumphant –Jesus Christ.
Therefore suffering is part of our growing. The closer we come to Jesus, the more courage we have to follow Him wherever He leads. History is a witness to this fact, for at Jesus' apprehension "all the disciples left him and fled" (Matthew 26:56b). However, after Jesus' resurrection, and the disciples' upper room experience (Acts 2), all were valiant and bold, even unto death. We too, have the capacity of developing a faith that is strong under any circumstance, if we simply make a habit of beholding Him. May we all decide to do just that, today, and joyfully accept the gifts that we've been given.
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
The Eyes of your Understanding
"The eyes of your understanding being enlighten; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" —Ephesians 1:18.
I was in pain almost a year ago; heart pain—that is. My heart was broken when the gal that I had been dating and had opened my heart to, suddenly decided she did not want me around anymore. I cried many tears and came to the point of wondering about God's purpose for my life. Today I ask you, have you ever felt this way? Have you ever looked around you and seen nothing but the shadows of doubt, fear, or defeat? I think every human being at one point or another, has felt this way. The book of Psalms is filled with heartfelt pleas, such as the following:
"Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, 'Seek My face,' my heart said to You, 'Your face, Lord, I will seek.' Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation" (27:7-9).
It is in times of darkness that we need enlightenment, but, how do we obtain it? —Simply by crying out to God in prayer, and seeking His help as our first line of defense. In addition to emotional enlightening, we also need spiritual enlightenment. What I mean by this, is that we not only need to feel God's presence near us —we also need to see and know that He is moving around us. Our outlook on life would be completely changed if we became keenly aware of God's presence and intercession on our behalf.
The Bible offers us the perfect example of spiritual enlightenment. The king of Syria was upset because someone seemed to be snitching on him, revealing his evil plans against Israel. He found out that the man of God—Elisha—received these revelations, so he sent his army to apprehend the prophet. Meanwhile, Elisha and his servant Gehazi were lodging in the city of Dothan. Early in the morning, the servant woke up to the frightening sight of the city being sieged by the Syrian army. He exclaimed, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" (2 Kings 6:15b). In response, a composed Elisha said, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (v. 16). And then the man of God proceeded to pray, "'Lord...open his eyes that he may see.' Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (v. 17). There would be no fear in us, if the eyes of our understanding were always opened to God's presence and protection in our lives.
It makes a world of a difference to know that God is on our side. For "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). In spite of our fears and sorrows, hurts and pains; sickness or diseases, or any other adverse circumstance —we can be assured that "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them" (Psalm 34:7). God is with us, always and forever; He is looking out for His children and has a definite purpose for your life and mine. Let us remain hopeful and encouraged to move forward in faith, today.
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Prayer: I thank you, Father, for your constant intercession and fighting on my behalf. You have always been there for me, and I know that you will never leave me. Open the eyes of my understanding so that I may sense and see your presence in my life, and know the plans that you have for me. In Jesus' name I pray —amen.
I was in pain almost a year ago; heart pain—that is. My heart was broken when the gal that I had been dating and had opened my heart to, suddenly decided she did not want me around anymore. I cried many tears and came to the point of wondering about God's purpose for my life. Today I ask you, have you ever felt this way? Have you ever looked around you and seen nothing but the shadows of doubt, fear, or defeat? I think every human being at one point or another, has felt this way. The book of Psalms is filled with heartfelt pleas, such as the following:
"Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, 'Seek My face,' my heart said to You, 'Your face, Lord, I will seek.' Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation" (27:7-9).
It is in times of darkness that we need enlightenment, but, how do we obtain it? —Simply by crying out to God in prayer, and seeking His help as our first line of defense. In addition to emotional enlightening, we also need spiritual enlightenment. What I mean by this, is that we not only need to feel God's presence near us —we also need to see and know that He is moving around us. Our outlook on life would be completely changed if we became keenly aware of God's presence and intercession on our behalf.
The Bible offers us the perfect example of spiritual enlightenment. The king of Syria was upset because someone seemed to be snitching on him, revealing his evil plans against Israel. He found out that the man of God—Elisha—received these revelations, so he sent his army to apprehend the prophet. Meanwhile, Elisha and his servant Gehazi were lodging in the city of Dothan. Early in the morning, the servant woke up to the frightening sight of the city being sieged by the Syrian army. He exclaimed, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" (2 Kings 6:15b). In response, a composed Elisha said, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (v. 16). And then the man of God proceeded to pray, "'Lord...open his eyes that he may see.' Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (v. 17). There would be no fear in us, if the eyes of our understanding were always opened to God's presence and protection in our lives.
It makes a world of a difference to know that God is on our side. For "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). In spite of our fears and sorrows, hurts and pains; sickness or diseases, or any other adverse circumstance —we can be assured that "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them" (Psalm 34:7). God is with us, always and forever; He is looking out for His children and has a definite purpose for your life and mine. Let us remain hopeful and encouraged to move forward in faith, today.
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Prayer: I thank you, Father, for your constant intercession and fighting on my behalf. You have always been there for me, and I know that you will never leave me. Open the eyes of my understanding so that I may sense and see your presence in my life, and know the plans that you have for me. In Jesus' name I pray —amen.
Monday, January 19, 2015
A Deposit On Our Behalf
"Who is a deposit [the Holy Spirit] guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory" —Ephesians 1:14.
The moment that we accept Christ as our Savior, a deposit is made on our behalf. This deposit is priceless and good for a lifetime —for those who so desire it. It is a deposit that keeps on growing, and brings great dividends. The deposit we are referring to is the Holy Spirit, given in full measure at the time of our conversion and subsequent baptism.
There are many Christians who struggle with the fear of losing their salvation. I know this to be the case—for I used to be one of them. We buy into the lies of the enemy—especially when we sin—that we have gone too far from God's reach, that we are lost, and that we have lost our inheritance in God's kingdom. All of these are demonic suggestions, and couldn't be farther from the truth; God is just a prayer away, always lovingly convicting us of our sins, and offering us the solution: Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf.
The only way to lose our salvation would be to continually reject God's Holy Spirit, or to completely disregard God's will for our lives —as found in the Bible. Otherwise, as our verse clearly expresses, having the Holy Spirit guarantees that we will receive our inheritance at the time of our redemption.
In another of his letter the apostle Paul wrote: "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). It is at this precise moment (Jesus' second coming) that His followers will receive the promised inheritance, and an ultimate makeover that will not fade away.
Therefore, how can we make sure the Holy Spirit dwells is us each day, and that we remain as God's special possession? —The key is found in the clothes we wear. In the letter of Paul to the Romans, the apostle tells us to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh..." (13:14a). The same way that we clothe ourselves at the beginning of each day, we must also clothe ourselves with Christ and His Spirit. This can only be accomplished as we surrender to Christ daily, crucifying self (Galatians 2:20), and keeping heaven's prayer hotline open and constant (Luke 6:12; Matthew 14:23) at all times.
We have been given a deposit, but soon we will receive the full amount. In the mean time, let us not lose heart nor doubt His promises. Instead, let us praise God for His providence and the guarantee that soon we will be reunited.
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Prayer: Most loving Father, I thank you for making a deposit in my name in the person of the Holy Spirit. Allow me to believe in your promises, and the fact that I am part of your special possession. Let my life bring praise and honor to your name. In the name of Christ, I pray —amen.
The moment that we accept Christ as our Savior, a deposit is made on our behalf. This deposit is priceless and good for a lifetime —for those who so desire it. It is a deposit that keeps on growing, and brings great dividends. The deposit we are referring to is the Holy Spirit, given in full measure at the time of our conversion and subsequent baptism.
There are many Christians who struggle with the fear of losing their salvation. I know this to be the case—for I used to be one of them. We buy into the lies of the enemy—especially when we sin—that we have gone too far from God's reach, that we are lost, and that we have lost our inheritance in God's kingdom. All of these are demonic suggestions, and couldn't be farther from the truth; God is just a prayer away, always lovingly convicting us of our sins, and offering us the solution: Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf.
The only way to lose our salvation would be to continually reject God's Holy Spirit, or to completely disregard God's will for our lives —as found in the Bible. Otherwise, as our verse clearly expresses, having the Holy Spirit guarantees that we will receive our inheritance at the time of our redemption.
In another of his letter the apostle Paul wrote: "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). It is at this precise moment (Jesus' second coming) that His followers will receive the promised inheritance, and an ultimate makeover that will not fade away.
Therefore, how can we make sure the Holy Spirit dwells is us each day, and that we remain as God's special possession? —The key is found in the clothes we wear. In the letter of Paul to the Romans, the apostle tells us to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh..." (13:14a). The same way that we clothe ourselves at the beginning of each day, we must also clothe ourselves with Christ and His Spirit. This can only be accomplished as we surrender to Christ daily, crucifying self (Galatians 2:20), and keeping heaven's prayer hotline open and constant (Luke 6:12; Matthew 14:23) at all times.
We have been given a deposit, but soon we will receive the full amount. In the mean time, let us not lose heart nor doubt His promises. Instead, let us praise God for His providence and the guarantee that soon we will be reunited.
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Prayer: Most loving Father, I thank you for making a deposit in my name in the person of the Holy Spirit. Allow me to believe in your promises, and the fact that I am part of your special possession. Let my life bring praise and honor to your name. In the name of Christ, I pray —amen.
Restoration Specialist
"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake" —Psalm 23:3.
Only something that is broken, damaged, or too old needs restoration; that is the crude reality of the human race —we are all in desperate need of restoration. We need God's fixing, tuning, and the buffing of our souls.
When we allow Jesus to be our Shepherd, He will not only supply all of our needs but He will also bring spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional healing to our lives. God is a spiritual heart surgeon who without the need of instruments or incisions brings restoration to our sin-sick beings.
This passage should put an end to the lie that is preached at times —that you ought to be perfect before you come to Christ. Much to the contrary, we should approach the Shepherd as we are: lost, filthy, and broken, surrendering to His love and care. The work of restoration is the work of God.
How does our Lord accomplish this miraculous transformation? The passage answers us by saying that He leads us in or to "the paths of righteousness." Christ's righteousness is the solution to our brokenness. His blood shed on the cross is sufficient to heal any disease and clean all sinful spots. As we accept and believe in Him we are brought near, cleansed, and clothed in Christ.
Are you in need of restoration? If your answer is "yes" —don't hesitate to approach Jesus, today, allowing Him to heal and restore your being. He will do it "for His name's sake" —you can count on it!
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Only something that is broken, damaged, or too old needs restoration; that is the crude reality of the human race —we are all in desperate need of restoration. We need God's fixing, tuning, and the buffing of our souls.
When we allow Jesus to be our Shepherd, He will not only supply all of our needs but He will also bring spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional healing to our lives. God is a spiritual heart surgeon who without the need of instruments or incisions brings restoration to our sin-sick beings.
This passage should put an end to the lie that is preached at times —that you ought to be perfect before you come to Christ. Much to the contrary, we should approach the Shepherd as we are: lost, filthy, and broken, surrendering to His love and care. The work of restoration is the work of God.
How does our Lord accomplish this miraculous transformation? The passage answers us by saying that He leads us in or to "the paths of righteousness." Christ's righteousness is the solution to our brokenness. His blood shed on the cross is sufficient to heal any disease and clean all sinful spots. As we accept and believe in Him we are brought near, cleansed, and clothed in Christ.
Are you in need of restoration? If your answer is "yes" —don't hesitate to approach Jesus, today, allowing Him to heal and restore your being. He will do it "for His name's sake" —you can count on it!
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Still Waters
"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters" (Psalm 23:2, ESV).
Our Shepherd Jesus Christ is always leading us to greener pastures; places where we can rest from the fuss and toss of this world. However, often times as fallen humans we fail to recognize the quality around us, and our eyes begin to wander elsewhere thinking that the grass is greener on the other side. How foolish we can be!
Finding rest in the Lord out in nature is not only important but it is also biblical. Jesus would often spend seasons of prayer in communion with His Father, apart from everyone else (Mark 1:35; 6:45, 46; 14:32; Luke 5:16; 6:12; John 6:15). In our day and age, those who live in the big cities may run into a problem here, for "nature" is harder to come by than to those in the countryside. However, the principle remains the same: draw away, seek solitude, or simply find a special place to be in communion with your heavenly Father. Jesus Himself said: "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matt. 6:6, ESV). Thus, anywhere where we can connect and spend one-on-one time with our heavenly Father becomes our "green pastures;" a place of quietude and rest.
"He leads me beside still waters." On one occasion Jesus met a Samaritan woman by the well of Jacob, and during that exchange He said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10, ESV). According to Jesus, He is the only provider of "living water;" He is the Rock from where that living spring flows. He also said to the woman, "but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (v. 14). How important then, that all of us allow the Shepherd to lead us beside those still waters.
Someone may ask, how do we get to those still waters? And the answer is found in verse one –only the true Shepherd can lead us there. If we wander away from Jesus or if we forsake Him and begin to lead our own lives, we will never reach this prime destination; the waters of this world will only leave us more thirsty (John 4:13). The apostle Paul reiterates this idea, in reference to Israel's experience in the desert, saying, "and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ" (1 Cor. 10:4, ESV). When we allow Jesus full control of our lives and submit to His leading, we too will be quenched by Him.
May we decide today to follow Jesus, accepting Him as our Shepherd, Savior, and Sustainer.
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Our Shepherd Jesus Christ is always leading us to greener pastures; places where we can rest from the fuss and toss of this world. However, often times as fallen humans we fail to recognize the quality around us, and our eyes begin to wander elsewhere thinking that the grass is greener on the other side. How foolish we can be!
Finding rest in the Lord out in nature is not only important but it is also biblical. Jesus would often spend seasons of prayer in communion with His Father, apart from everyone else (Mark 1:35; 6:45, 46; 14:32; Luke 5:16; 6:12; John 6:15). In our day and age, those who live in the big cities may run into a problem here, for "nature" is harder to come by than to those in the countryside. However, the principle remains the same: draw away, seek solitude, or simply find a special place to be in communion with your heavenly Father. Jesus Himself said: "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matt. 6:6, ESV). Thus, anywhere where we can connect and spend one-on-one time with our heavenly Father becomes our "green pastures;" a place of quietude and rest.
"He leads me beside still waters." On one occasion Jesus met a Samaritan woman by the well of Jacob, and during that exchange He said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10, ESV). According to Jesus, He is the only provider of "living water;" He is the Rock from where that living spring flows. He also said to the woman, "but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (v. 14). How important then, that all of us allow the Shepherd to lead us beside those still waters.
Someone may ask, how do we get to those still waters? And the answer is found in verse one –only the true Shepherd can lead us there. If we wander away from Jesus or if we forsake Him and begin to lead our own lives, we will never reach this prime destination; the waters of this world will only leave us more thirsty (John 4:13). The apostle Paul reiterates this idea, in reference to Israel's experience in the desert, saying, "and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ" (1 Cor. 10:4, ESV). When we allow Jesus full control of our lives and submit to His leading, we too will be quenched by Him.
May we decide today to follow Jesus, accepting Him as our Shepherd, Savior, and Sustainer.
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Sunday, January 18, 2015
A Matter of Trust
"That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ" –Ephesians 1:12.
To fully relly on Christ when we are called to follow Him, is not always an easy thing to do. It is especially difficult if we are not in the habit of trusting others. In this world it is hard to find trustworthy people. We are often let down by others, sometimes even by our own family members, and so we grow afraid of each other's intentions. Yet a big part of loving someone, is trusting them. Therefore love and trust go hand-in-hand, and you cannot have one without the other.
Trust is built over time as we relate to one another. The more time we spend with a person, the more we learn to trust them to the point of trusting them with our lives. However, trust requires willingness to give of ourselves; as we move forward in any relationship, we are stepping out of our comfort zone. Having the willingness to trust someone else is perhaps one of the decisive points in any relationship. What you are saying is, "Here I am, fully open to you unreservedly, and choosing to trust you." The desired outcome of such a courageous move is to be our trust responded to in a similar and unreserved way. From there on —the sky is the limit, as long as both remain open and committed.
God wants us to give ourselves to Him without reservations; He wants our undivided heart. However, He is patient with us, knowing that sometimes we are not ready for such a commitment. Yet those who deicide to take the plunge of faith even when doubts are present, bring praise and glory to God. They declare to the world around them that they have found something special; they have found a relationship unlike any other. The Psalmist knew this well, as he penned the following verses:
"Trust is the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday" (Psalm 36:3-6, ESV).
God is the greatest lover this world has ever known. When we enter into a relationship with Him, He never ceases to amaze us, for His love has no end. We can be ourselves in His presence and He is always willing to listen. God does not give up on us, even if we miss the mark or betray Him with other lovers. He tenderly calls us back into the relationship, and forgives us when we acknowledge our faults to Him. His forgiveness is complete and unconditional; He never reminds us of what we have done —only of what we can do through Him. With all these positive attributes, who would refuse to enter into a trusting relationship with God? It is my hope that each and every one of us decides to give God a chance by trusting Him, and thus bringing glory to His name.
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Prayer: My loving Father, I thank you for your unconditional love for me. What you have done and what you are doing on my behalf. I want to trust you fully and surrender my heart to you today. Let me experience your love like never before, as I step out in faith. I ask this in the name of your Son Jesus —Amen.
3
Thursday, January 15, 2015
The Lord is my Shepherd, pt. 2
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” —Psalm 23:1.
What a brief but profound statement by David who was a shepherd himself. The thought came to me this morning that unless we get to this point in our Christian experience—where we’re willing to recognize Him and follow Him as our Shepherd—then our spiritual growth will be minimal or null. Instead of following Him unto greener pastures, we will settle for grazing in a barren land, fooling ourselves that we are really being nourished.
To say that the Lord is my shepherd, then, is to say that I am willing to listen, follow, be protected, cared for, fed, and ultimatey trust God with my well-being. To say that the Lord is my shepherd would require me to admit that I am but a sheep—nothing else or nothing more. On my own I cannot make it; on my own I’m bound to get lost and fall prey to the wolves all around me. If I am a sheep, then I am in need of a shepherd. It is of utmost importance to reach this point in our Christian lives—where we realize our need of a loving Shepherd.
Jesus explained this same concept in the first Beatitude when He exclaimed, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3). Being poor in spirit is equal to being a sheep. Both need someone else’s help to make it through. Their survival is dependent upon another. Therefore we could aptly say: “blessed are the sheep…”
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Notice that it doesn’t say, “I shall not have any needs,” “I shall be problem-free,” or “I shall have everything I want.” –No! Absolutely not! It says, “I shall not want.” If the Lord is leading my life I should not feel the need of other things or other people to fill me up —for He should suffice. If Jesus is my shepherd I shall not follow after other shepherds, nor leave His fold to follow after independent, shepherd-free sheep; nor should I ever reach the point where I think that I’m capable and mature enough to be my own shepherd. There will always, only be one true Shepherd, and a lot of pseudo-shepherds that will mislead sheep unto perdition.
Jesus is my Shepherd, and He will supply my needs. Why is He my Shepherd? I’ll let Him answer:
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:11–15, ESV).
Jesus is my Shepherd because He laid down His life for me. He did that because He loves me, and I am His sheep. He did that for all of us, and is desperately trying to get our attention so that all may come into His fold with the rest of His sheep. Would you accept Jesus as your Shepherd, today? It is my prayer that you will do exactly that.
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
The Lord is my Shepherd, pt. 1
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" –Psalm 23:1.
This morning I woke up in turmoil of soul, and affliction of mind. I have questions that are unanswered that bring feelings of doubt and fear to my soul. I was thankful, therefore, when God woke me up earlier than planned and led me to prayer. Though I was glad to open my heart to God, those doubts were still lingering in my mind and a struggle was taking place until God brought this Psalm to mind.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." –Peacefulness invaded my soul immediately. There is confidence in knowing that if Jesus is truly our Shepherd, we should not worry about the details of life. Yes, I still don't know what will transpire, however I can rest assured that whatever happens will be His will.
"I shall not want." –What a deep pronouncement! It overreaches to every single aspect of our lives –even the minute details. I have thought about this passage off and on for the last couple of weeks, and every single time it comes to mind it leaves me in awe of its depth, and automatically brings a sense of peace. There is something special about knowing that we can rely on Someone who will not let us down, Someone who was willing to give His life for us —because He loves us (John 15:13).
Why should I fear, then, about the things that are unclear to me when I have a Shepherd that will supply all of my needs? –I have nothing to fear! The LORD Jesus is my Shepherd, and He shall supply all of my needs according to His infinite love and care. I can rest assured that He will come through for me today, just as He has in the past; I can be confident as I move forward and face today —and so can you! May this be our prayer: "Jesus, be my Shepherd; I submit to your loving care."
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
This morning I woke up in turmoil of soul, and affliction of mind. I have questions that are unanswered that bring feelings of doubt and fear to my soul. I was thankful, therefore, when God woke me up earlier than planned and led me to prayer. Though I was glad to open my heart to God, those doubts were still lingering in my mind and a struggle was taking place until God brought this Psalm to mind.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." –Peacefulness invaded my soul immediately. There is confidence in knowing that if Jesus is truly our Shepherd, we should not worry about the details of life. Yes, I still don't know what will transpire, however I can rest assured that whatever happens will be His will.
"I shall not want." –What a deep pronouncement! It overreaches to every single aspect of our lives –even the minute details. I have thought about this passage off and on for the last couple of weeks, and every single time it comes to mind it leaves me in awe of its depth, and automatically brings a sense of peace. There is something special about knowing that we can rely on Someone who will not let us down, Someone who was willing to give His life for us —because He loves us (John 15:13).
Why should I fear, then, about the things that are unclear to me when I have a Shepherd that will supply all of my needs? –I have nothing to fear! The LORD Jesus is my Shepherd, and He shall supply all of my needs according to His infinite love and care. I can rest assured that He will come through for me today, just as He has in the past; I can be confident as I move forward and face today —and so can you! May this be our prayer: "Jesus, be my Shepherd; I submit to your loving care."
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Thoughts on Hearing God's Voice, pt. 1
"And Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant hears'" —1 Samuel 3:10.
Each of us needs to learn to discern God's voice on our own. Though books have been written on the subject, we cannot reduce listening to God's voice to a science or a class taught in school –it is way more than that. It is a part of an active and living relationship with Him.
At least two conclusions can be reached in regards to this subject: (1) God chooses to speak to whomever He sees fit, whenever He deems best, and (2) God speaks to His children as they submit to Him and learn to discern His voice. In both instances the Lord God is the One who chooses to communicate (or condescend with humanity through His own means). As humans we choose to speak to God, yet it is not up to us if God chooses to speak back to us every single time, nor should we be presumptuous as to tell Him when and where to speak.
Just as in human conversations where the receiver sometimes chooses to be silent or use non-verbal cues, God may also choose to abstain from speaking or answering our inquires, if He sees fit. After all, the old adage states that "Silence is golden," therefore we should not view this as a lack of communication on His part or an improper reply, but instead as part of the nature of our ongoing conversation. We should also—at these moments of "silence" or breaks in our conversation—remain open to non-verbal responses from above (i.e. God speaking through His written Word, His use of nature as a communication aid, and Him addressing us through other people: friends, pastors, or even strangers!).
Because of this, let our prayer be: "God speak to us when you choose —just don't stop speaking to us all together. Amen."
Your Friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Each of us needs to learn to discern God's voice on our own. Though books have been written on the subject, we cannot reduce listening to God's voice to a science or a class taught in school –it is way more than that. It is a part of an active and living relationship with Him.
At least two conclusions can be reached in regards to this subject: (1) God chooses to speak to whomever He sees fit, whenever He deems best, and (2) God speaks to His children as they submit to Him and learn to discern His voice. In both instances the Lord God is the One who chooses to communicate (or condescend with humanity through His own means). As humans we choose to speak to God, yet it is not up to us if God chooses to speak back to us every single time, nor should we be presumptuous as to tell Him when and where to speak.
Just as in human conversations where the receiver sometimes chooses to be silent or use non-verbal cues, God may also choose to abstain from speaking or answering our inquires, if He sees fit. After all, the old adage states that "Silence is golden," therefore we should not view this as a lack of communication on His part or an improper reply, but instead as part of the nature of our ongoing conversation. We should also—at these moments of "silence" or breaks in our conversation—remain open to non-verbal responses from above (i.e. God speaking through His written Word, His use of nature as a communication aid, and Him addressing us through other people: friends, pastors, or even strangers!).
Because of this, let our prayer be: "God speak to us when you choose —just don't stop speaking to us all together. Amen."
Your Friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
The Gift of Predestination
"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" –Ephesians 1:11.
As soon as you become a child of God, your name is added to God's inheritance. We go from estranged children to legitimate sons and daughters of God –and that is how He sees us. This was God's ideal from the beginning, but sin caused a rupture in the relationship; sin fragmented God's perfect picture, and separated us from God.
However, God longed for us so much–His kin–that He condescended, taking flesh and blood in the form of Jesus Christ, so that He could bring us back home. The apostle Paul describes this marvelous event, saying that while Jesus possessed "the form of God, [He] did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:6-8). God loved us so much that He was willing to come down to our level. Real love is self-sacrificing.
Before such an awesome display of love we cannot but declare, along with the beloved disciple, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him" (1 John 3:1). This is a manner of love that we are not used to, but which should be replicated in the lives of those who become God's inheritors. It was God's purpose for you to live with Him, and He is doing all that He can to turn that into a reality. What do you think of that? Are you willing to accept the fact that He loves you so much that He was willing to give it all, even before you came into existence? Talk about endless love!
Our verse tells us that we were "predestined." Some Christians get caught up on the meaning of this word, and lose sight of what is most important. We can avoid the controversy (along with the useless arguments), by simply saying that God destined us ahead of time to become His forever. Why so? -Because as God, He knows the end from the beginning. Therefore He planned ahead of time, and was ready to launch His rescue mission when the time came for that.
In adoption processes, all parties need to be in agreement, otherwise they cannot be finalized. Same thing happens with us. God longs to adopt us into His family, but many of us refuse His offer, for whatever reason, and prefer to live Fatherless (and meaningless) lives. Meanwhile the Father waits, and He yearns for the day when we will yield and accept the bargain. Have you accepted Him as your Father, and have you thanked Him for all that He has done for you? May we take a moment today, and enjoy His Fatherly love.
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Prayer: Loving Father, I thank you for thinking of me, way before I was conceived. You have demonstrated your love for me, over and over again. Fill me with that kind of selfless love, and allow me to surrender to your care, today. It is my prayer, in Jesus' name –amen.
As soon as you become a child of God, your name is added to God's inheritance. We go from estranged children to legitimate sons and daughters of God –and that is how He sees us. This was God's ideal from the beginning, but sin caused a rupture in the relationship; sin fragmented God's perfect picture, and separated us from God.
However, God longed for us so much–His kin–that He condescended, taking flesh and blood in the form of Jesus Christ, so that He could bring us back home. The apostle Paul describes this marvelous event, saying that while Jesus possessed "the form of God, [He] did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:6-8). God loved us so much that He was willing to come down to our level. Real love is self-sacrificing.
Before such an awesome display of love we cannot but declare, along with the beloved disciple, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him" (1 John 3:1). This is a manner of love that we are not used to, but which should be replicated in the lives of those who become God's inheritors. It was God's purpose for you to live with Him, and He is doing all that He can to turn that into a reality. What do you think of that? Are you willing to accept the fact that He loves you so much that He was willing to give it all, even before you came into existence? Talk about endless love!
Our verse tells us that we were "predestined." Some Christians get caught up on the meaning of this word, and lose sight of what is most important. We can avoid the controversy (along with the useless arguments), by simply saying that God destined us ahead of time to become His forever. Why so? -Because as God, He knows the end from the beginning. Therefore He planned ahead of time, and was ready to launch His rescue mission when the time came for that.
In adoption processes, all parties need to be in agreement, otherwise they cannot be finalized. Same thing happens with us. God longs to adopt us into His family, but many of us refuse His offer, for whatever reason, and prefer to live Fatherless (and meaningless) lives. Meanwhile the Father waits, and He yearns for the day when we will yield and accept the bargain. Have you accepted Him as your Father, and have you thanked Him for all that He has done for you? May we take a moment today, and enjoy His Fatherly love.
Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar
Prayer: Loving Father, I thank you for thinking of me, way before I was conceived. You have demonstrated your love for me, over and over again. Fill me with that kind of selfless love, and allow me to surrender to your care, today. It is my prayer, in Jesus' name –amen.
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