Transformation- The Key To Lasting Change For The New Year

TRANSFORMATION- THE KEY TO LASTING CHANGE
Every year as the new year approaches, we make a list of our new year's resolutions. At the advent of each new year, there is always a stirring in our souls to break free from our wretched past. But after only a month or so of futile attempts, we always end up a miserable failure. Why? Because by nature, we are weak and prone to sin. By nature, we are prone to violate our own moral standards. And even if we honestly want to change and take on a new path in life, it is almost impossible for us to do so without assistance from a higher supernatural source.

True transformation, wherein we finally break free from our wretched and sinful existence, is done only through the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can effect a genuine and lasting change in our lives where we choose to live a godly life rather than a sinful existence. This is what is termed a born again experience and it can be effected only if we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, confess our sins to Him and let His most precious blood wash clean all our sins in life.

By doing this, we invite the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and our long dormant spirit suddenly becomes alive and active. Thus we become a new creation. Our old sinful selves are dead in transgressions and we are now alive in the grace of God and declared holy by the righteousness of Jesus Christ. That is true transformation wherein we live a new life dedicated to loving and serving God and becoming a vessel and a conduit of God's blessings and grace to others.


THE HARVEST IS PLENTY BUT THE WORKERS ARE FEW. WILL YOU HEED THE CALL OF THE LORD TO BECOME A WORKER IN HIS VINEYARD?

Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational

The True Spirit Of Christmas

Our Lord showed us the true spirit of humility when He was born in a humble manger surrounded by farm animals and shepherds. Yet the whole of heaven burst forth in joyous celebrations, capped by the singing of heavenly angels heralding the dawn of salvation for the whole mankind.

Today, as we celebrate this momentous occasion, let us not forget the true spirit of Christmas. Christmas is giving love and sharing our blessings with the less fortunate of our brethren.

Christmas means praying for those who are sick in body and soul, those who are suffering from extreme hunger while we wallow in sumptuous feasts on our dinner table.

Christmas means praying for peace and harmony in our world full of violence, strifes, hatred and intolerance.

Christmas means praying that our world and industry leaders do something to arrest the growing and unabated global warming of our planet.

Christmas means changing our world view and perspective in life from one of unbridled greed and avarice, to a giving and caring spirit, one that beats with compassion and love for our fellow men.

Too long have the evil spirits let loosed by Satan have wrought havoc to the minds and souls of mankind. They are the spirit of avarice and greed, of licentiousness and lust, of unbridled quest for power, of the spirit of hatred, violence and strifes, of the spirit of the insatiable quest for all the riches of the world irregardless of the consequences to other humans and the environment, the spirit of wanton exploitation of our natural resources to the detriment of our future generations.

Thousands of people especially children die everyday because of extreme hunger and starvation and due to untreated illnesses because of extreme poverty.
Unconsumed food and food wastages from affluent countries thrown everyday to garbage bins are more than enough to feed those who are so hungry and those who are dying of starvation in the world.

It is so pathetic to see that pets of rich people in the world eat more expensive and nutritious food than humans in the impoverished countries of the world. How my heart bleeds whenever I see beggars and starving children in my own country scavenging for food in waste bins of fast food restaurants.

How can we be so callous of heart? Do we know that millions of people in impoverished countries of Africa and Asia could hardly eat one square meal a day? Do we turn a blind eye to the fact that millions of vulnerable youths, as young as eight years old, work in veritable slave houses and sweat shops, forced to do adult work with nary or little pay, and imprisoned and guarded in congested and unventilated quarters?

As we celebrate in lavish partying and gorge on unending food and drinks, have we ever stop to consider how many young girls and boys, so tender in age, are lured to child prostitutions by unscrupulous syndicates catering to pedophiles and sex perverts?

Let's give love on Christmas day and everyday of the year. Let us pray for our less fortunate brethren. THAT IS THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS!

The Christmas Song - Celine Dion



Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Inspirational