Do you feel a need for spiritual awakening in our country? If you answer "yes," what can you do to begin such an awakening--in your own life? in your church? in your denomination? throughout the land? Present practical ideas in your discussion. Are you willing to do what you should?Thursday, March 5, 2015
Discussion Forum #11
Do you feel a need for spiritual awakening in our country? If you answer "yes," what can you do to begin such an awakening--in your own life? in your church? in your denomination? throughout the land? Present practical ideas in your discussion. Are you willing to do what you should?
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There is clear need for spiritual awakening in our country. Look everywhere! There is corruption, war, injustice, abuses and killing that are all manifestation of evil. The calmness of some areas is a deception of a troublesome spirits. People are looking for escape by all sorts of activities yet only find themselves imprison by their excessities. The overall picture of the spiritual state of our country is heartbreaking. While, most of the Philippines churches have stand aside and watch these things unfold with attention focus in their own concerns. Something must be done to avert further degrading of morality.
ReplyDeleteThe awakening must start at a personal level. All of us should we aware of our frailties and commit to change our ways with the grace of God, of course. For me, I will start by confessing to God my mediocrity and hypocrisy, then pursue a growing relationship with God. I will start and end the day by seeking God’s face and devote more time in meditating His Word. In regards to other people, I will be more sensitive to their needs and see them as God sees them. I will do these by thinking first before saying a word and respect everyone as a person. When an opportunity arise, I will not hesitate to impart God’s Word in their life.
The church will have a greater responsibility concerning the spiritual awakening of our country as God’s channel of blessing and bearer of God’s message. She is to be active in the spiritual battle by reaching out to everyone she can. She is not to forget the greatest need of man; the forgiveness of his sin, and win as many as she can to the Lord Jesus Christ. The church can also partner with the government in ministering the emotional, mental and spiritual need of the community. But the denomination should no longer think of denominationalism but shuold work as one in the spiritual awakening of our country.
I am resolve to start the awakening in myself with the strength of the Almighty God and I am calling on every Filipinos: Christians or not, to open their heart for the Living God, Jesus Christ.
Your point is very clear and I must say that its true! Change has to start with every individual lives, ourselves. We cannot demand changes from other people when we know that we ourselves nothing has changed. We cannot clearly see the importance of change if we don't personally experience it. But we can only experience change if we allow God to do it to ourselves and submit to Him.
DeleteYes kuya Reinhard. I agree with what you've said.You explain it well. There should be genuine change in our hearts first and we have to settle our relationship with Him most of all and above all. He could never use us as His instrument to help in the spiritual awakening of our country, if we live a life that never seek to please Him and honor Him.
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DeleteWhen it comes to reaching the lost for every country to experience spiritual awakening, it is indeed important that ALL GENUINE CHRISTIANS be one ending any differences when it comes to minor teachings and beliefs to join forces, resources and manpower to let our country experience genuine peace and helping them to turn their ways to GOD,
DeleteAbsolutely Yes! Our country needs spiritual awakening. As we look around us, wherever we go, we could sense people's emptiness in Spirit. They are lost and hopeless, they did what is right in their own eyes and most of all, they neglect God and worst, there are people who didn't believe in Him. It is evident for we have seen the evil things people did and its evil results.
ReplyDeleteBut, of course, change will start in each of our lives. As for me, I have to resolve before God to live a life that pleases Him and to strengthen my personal relationship with Him and make it more intimate. I have to be more watchful in my walk with Him and make sure that I never neglect or forget Him. I have to really be consistent also with my prayer life and in meditating His Word daily and dig deeper into it. I have to reach out to others and pray for them and always be ready to share God's love to them. I should care enough for the spiritual condition of others.
In my church, I have to create an impact to where God has put me in. I should start in there. God has place me in the children's ministry. I believe He can and will use me to reach them out for the Lord and later on by the grace of God, their parents as well. I have to be sincere also in reaching kids in our community where the church is built and if possible those places that the church could reach out with the Gospel.
In my denomination, I will keep praying that it will be more than willing to work with other denomination in partnership when it comes to sharing the gospel and to work hand in hand to make a difference in the lives of other people.
I commit by the grace of God and the strength He provides, to be willing to do and apply these practical steps to help in the spiritual awakening of our country.
There's so much for us to do as Christians and we have to rise up and courageously take a step of faith in sharing God's love to others and we also need to be more and more committed to God and to be faithful to Him. We have a mission! Let's do what we can to show care to others and bring them at the feet of Jesus.
Indeed, spiritual awakening should start individually. And Christians who are clearly commanded by God, must not be contented on the four side of their church building alone, but will passionately go outside and take a step to make a difference and bring others to God. because we know that a man's primary need is not food but a relationship with God. If all of the believers will just do their responsibility, there would surely a spiritual awakening in every part of our country.
Deleteamen
Deleteawakening for it be effectively brought into successful reality comes from within the person. one should be first fully consumed and convinced about his faith to Jesus as he/she starts the revival within the community. its very powerful evidence if people see it within our lives. your point "soy" is very much true.
DeleteWhen Adam and Eve sinned against God, the perfect world that He created became corrupted. People were already subject to sin either with their awareness or not. Even when we look at the daily news, there is not an instance that bad things is not done. Because of that, our daily actions become corrupted as well. Therefore i believe that not just our country, but the whole world as well needs a great spiritual awakening.
ReplyDeleteA certain change could not be easily done or imposed to other people unless we start it with ourselves. i admit that like other people, i also have my own flaws. I do things that are not right in the eyes of men and God. But sometimes, i am so prideful that i refrain myself form admitting such weakness or mistake. i do believe that one's awakening starts with humility and acceptance. And so this is what i must do. Also i must repent, not just accept, from my wicked ways.To be able to do that, I must immerse myself in reading the Word of God, seek His guidance always, and be committed and disciplined to follow His way. Most importantly, I must maintain this intimate relationship with Him every second in my life.
As Christ's followers, we are responsible and accountable to every action that we make. The Great Commission that He had left to the disciples and to His people should be proactively exercised by the Church. Since the church is taught with the Word of God, they must be a vessel to spread the peace of Jesus to the lost. In order for the awakening to be shared immediately and effectively to millions of people whose life are still in chaos because of sins, all denominations (evangelical) should be united as one to do this. The more vessels, the more people would hear, know the truth, and the faster spiritual awakening be seen in every country of this world.
As God's precious child, I commit myself to allow God used me as His instrument to the great spiritual awakening He wants every country to experience for His own glory.
Philippines, although known as a Christian Country, clearly needs a spiritual awakening. Everyday more stealing, murder, cheating, and many other crimes happen. Even looking at the lifestyles of many, their need of God is very clear. Many families were broken and others are breaking right now. The poverty all over the country is not just for physical need, but more on spiritual need.
ReplyDeleteSpiritual awakening really starts at the individual, so I must look at myself first, reflect on how is my personal relationship with God and must desire and long for him more everyday and every moment of my life. God must also be glorified with my life so that i can make a difference wherever I am, and God will be recognized. My family should also live a life that shows God's love through action and words. The church also must be concerned with this issue not neglecting it just because the state and the church is separated. If the church needs a spiritual awakening, then why not do it? Reflecting on how we live our lives, is the church being a blessing to the whole community? or only a group of people who secludes themselves because they thought they are the only "holy". That is why, the church should reach-out outside the four corners of the church building too. Catering for the need of the others, not just in physical but most importantly, spiritual. It should not be a selfish church but a church whose picture is not more on having fellowship inside but is more on going outside to bring others in God's fellowship. I'm sure that if only all true believers of Christ would really reach-out to wherever she/he is, both through words and actions, not just thinking of herself/himself but to what Jesus Christ had commanded us all, that is to share the Good news, there will also be a spiritual awakening in every part of our country. Maybe not as big as what had happened in England and America with the Wesley brothers and other men used by God those times, but at least slowly we, as God's followers can contribute to it and not just sit in our houses and churches, watching only how our country suffer spiritually and be doomed more.And every least thing we do has a great part in God's Kingdom.
Of course personally, I would really like to see this happen in our country and I will be willing to do a step not just on my own but of course with God's help for our Country's spiritual awakening.
I truly believe that our land needs awakening. Looking at our own country which is covered with anger,selfishness,greed,enviousness, compitition, misunderstanding cause to murdering and all of those evil deeds which we know does not come from the Lord. JESUS is the only source for the awakening of our sleeping hearts and souls.
ReplyDeleteBut this should start with me the awakening or good change that Im looking for. I should have to fix myself first and make sure I am transparent enough to listen,adapt,learn and apply the WORD of God and ideas from other people. The church should offcourse evaluate themselves too, the way they live the name of the Lord and make it thier goal to really share Jesus to people. Putting it to thier minds that all people should experince the abundance God's love and His wonderful grace expressed through Jesus Christ His Son. The church must be pro active with thier responsilities, must be quick to respond to the need and must work together. Must leave thier old routines that hender them to go out from shell and cause them passiveness.
The willingness to be corrected and embrace the essence of humility is the first step to take with this country. Try to be sensitive with other people, things that are happening around them. Next step is to allow God to intervine and work to their lives and in every situation they are in ,change will happen. Because it is only God who can open our eyes and see the truth, it is He who can soften our hearts and feel others and the only One that grant us unity, the satisfying and unending peace and change that we wanted to happen. Let God be God!
I got you point Miss shyne, i believe that our country needs Spiritual awakening and it started in ourselves. we must look at first ourselves and check if what we are doing are glorifying the Lord. miss u all...
ReplyDeleteHi Francis. We all miss you too.
DeleteDid you already get the Independent Study Contract for Church History?
Yes Francis....the change will start in us first. We should live a life that glorifies God..We miss you sad....keep on....God bless.
DeletePhilippines claimed to be a christian country however, there are many things that can truly tells us that spiritual awakening is necessary to reignite the fire that somehow dying today. morality was less valued and immorality increased, human trafficking, abused, drugs, murder and many others. where is the value of claiming God fearing country when this all rampant.
ReplyDeletei can help through influenced to others on how honor God in doing what is right to His sight. first change must happen for me personally so that i can influenced others. second, as minister i can help educating the church that may open their eyes what was really happening to Christianity. the church can model the difference that the world needs to see and influenced with the life that God design to His people. the choice is with us then it is an action that starts for us who saw the needs. by the help of the Lord it is possible.
As God's children and part of the Christianity in my country i commit myself to be used by God to do Hid work through the power of His name.
influencing others on honoring God, changing one self, and educating the church is somehow a good a idea. how i wish this will be true to all of us who are ministers.
DeleteAmen sister. our country is really not like what other country thinks as very spiritual. It is full of lie, corruption, crimes and etc. Our land really needs a healing and it would start in ourselves.
DeleteFor me i feel like our country, Philippines, need spiritual awakening. Moral issues will cause it's reason why do we need such. To begin the awakening, i can begin through setting a difference towards the people. In the church, i will encourage the church to make a difference in the community. In the denomination, i will encourage the churches in the denomination to set a plan that will make them different from the society. One practical idea to make a difference from the society is to make an action based on the bible. If the country is working or moving toward selfish desire, then setting a difference through working based on the bible will make it so. Of course, studying first the bible and apply it should be necessary to make a difference. Studying the bible and influence other through the scripture will be a work that i am willing to do. i am also willing to apply what moral issue in the scripture that is teaching to correct and set a difference from the society.
ReplyDeleteyes, there is really a great need of spiritual awakening in our country. Even though we are known to be a Christian country and claimed that most people believe in God, these are not a guarantee that people are living in the light and in the truth. Satanic stronghold is very strong in our country that people worship idols. Our government is very corrupt, there are so many cases of rape, killing, snatching and etc. The people now are even living in one house without getting married, teenage pregnancy is very common, video scandals are easily spreading on the internet, and night clubs is not a big issue anymore. So for myself, i really need to immerse myself in the Word of God, meditate on it everyday, and worship God. I need to go out and share to others the right way of living and open their minds, ears, eyes and heart of the spiritual status of our country. In the church, i have to encourage them to set a good example to others especially to the unbelievers everyday. That they should not let the fire of the Holy Spirit that is living in them die. That they should also continually immerse their selves in the Word of God. In the denomination, i will make a movement that will involved them in changing the world. That they will be active in helping their community to grow spiritually. This movement is a very practical idea that focuses on waking up the dead spiritual aspect of the people. It would teach people the right doctrine, right way of living and would also provide their needs physically.
ReplyDeleteI really like the word you use here bai Fretch, "immerse" is the exact word should be use in meditating the word of God. By immersing ourselves into it our eyes would be open and the fire that is always in us in sharing the gospel to others would ignite everyday as we live by day pleasing God in our lives as we apply the word of God wherever we go in whatever we say, think and act so that others may see God in our life.
DeleteThere is no way that our country is exempted in this kind of awakening. There are threats in each of the individuals just lurking in the smoothest way that we don't even expect to kill us.
ReplyDeleteMostly in our country believe in God but just do live as if God is far away. Having this kind of awakening would help them realized their status as people who have God. Aside from those who were influence a liberal belief, Atheist, different denominations, I as being positive would want to be united in but respect different worship in one God.
I agree as Mirasol has told us that when one wants a change he should first have it in his own life. It is hard to change even if you have decided it, what I mean is the process. It would cause you pain but a worthwhile experience as valuable as a wealth to influence other. Start as being pro-active. Yes, I need to learn to be more initiative, take risk and as well as responsibility.
I know I am a strong person but with out including God in my plans i usually turn out to be coward and not influencing.
Actually, I feel like I was not called to influence church, not yet I may say but may be in the institution that God would put me in. I not a people person but I am a people lover. I am effective in making a long ties friendship. I influence a life not crowd, may be. Educate people, God has given me this profession as a privilege to impact people. I want to elevate God and how good He is in the individual lives of people. I have not felt if the Holy Spirit is moving me to influence denominational, but for me that's a great accomplishment for God, I'll wait for Him to tell me so..heheh
yes, there's a need indeed for spiritual revival in our country according to what the Bible clearly teaches and says about faith and salvation. whether we accept it or not a lot of beliefs nowadays arises which are very much Biblically and theologically wrong, though they some quoted the Bible as basis for such belief. a lot have twisted to what the Bible have said.
ReplyDeleteyes, it will start from my personal convection as a Christian, by the grace of God, i will pursue righteousness and holiness in my actions, thinking and words. i admit that a lot of times i got wrong and sinned against God, that's why by God's grace i will start the awakening on my constant devotion to God through constant prayer.
then in our church, we need to stand firm on what we believe. people must see the distinction we have. we are not copiers of the styles of others rather we have our own Biblical style on how to disciple people. if we just copy and copy from other, we will eventually come up to the point of practicing practices that are not Biblical. what i mean is that, we need to go always to what the Bible have teaches. preaching exegetically not the isigisis. we need to go back to the basic foundation of doctrine and faith, the Scripture.
in our denomination, we need to have a unity. unity that comes from the Biblical way. we admit it or not, our denomination is divided because of misunderstanding and disagreement about practices. however, we must all agree to reaching people for and through Christ, as our Lord and Saviour.
through out the land, we are to proclaim that Jesus is Lord, all is to come into the point of their lives to recognize God. yes, we are to participate in global mission.
i am very much willing to do such awakening. though i admit it would be hard but nothing is impossible in God. to God be the glory in my life.
yes it's true buddy that there is a need for that spiritual revival..
DeleteFor me, I don’t feel the need for spiritual awakening in our country. Why? First, we are a Christian country. Most of the people are part of different religious groups throughout the country having different doctrines, values and understandings about God, man and spirits. Filipinos are known to be religious. We can see that anywhere we go especially the Roman Catholic Church; majority of the people in town goes to that church. As a Christian country, these groups for sure talks of God and the need to do good to others, though Muslims hate Christians but still Muslims have to do good to other Muslims. So people has the idea of God who hate sin, do good to others, goes to church and worship God. Second, spiritual awakening needs Unity for it to be realized. Are we united? We have different religions with different doctrines, different “parties” especially during election, and our country leaders from president to brgy. Captains have different perspectives in handling as a leader. That’s just examples of us having no unity in that area. Whether we like it or not, Filipinos has the idea of crab mentality; pulling others who are on top instead of supporting because they also want to be on top.
ReplyDeleteI said that we don’t need spiritual awakening in our country because what we need is the spiritual awakening within oneself first. It should always start on oneself when we think of spiritual awakening for our country. This spiritual awakening that will happen on oneself is the first thing should be done and everything else will follow as long as it is for the glory of God. And I think that if our leaders in this country have personal spiritual awakening, for sure it can be reflected in what they think, say and act. That can be helpful for the spiritual awakening that will happen in our country because we look up them as models since they are more popular than common people like us.
i think you mean personal relationship with our Lord..
Deletehow can people be spiritually awaken if they are spiritually dead? this is what comes into my mind when this issue was brought up. when we talk about spiritual awakening we are referring to his spiritual struggle that needs to be revived. to be a Christian is not enough because when we talk about it not all who claim as Christian is Christian some are just believers but doesn't have personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. For me, before considering spiritual awakening people must have first relationship with Jesus Christ because it is too difficult for a person to be awake knowing he or she is dead spiritually. All Christians who personally have relationship with God needs spiritual awakening for it is very important that we are not asleep spiritual or we might feel being stagnant spiritually. It's true that it begins within us. we need to remember our first love. we need to deal those things that hinders us from our devotion to God. the process is not easy because to have best relationship or having a beautiful relationship needs hardwork. great devotion to God is one of the keys to spiritually awaken. If all of us practices personal monitoring towards spiritual areas or status then everything will go smoothly. Whether you are at home, in church, in school and in the offices. We need spiritual awakening because we are into this tendency to be spiritually asleep.
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