Prisoner Set Free: Life and Life More Abundantly: Does God Challenge You? 4

Friday, May 09, 2014

Does God Challenge You? 4

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BORN AGAIN?

Before I was saved, I believed there was a God and I believed there was a Jesus Christ… We celebrated Jesus’ birthday on Christmas and his resurrection at Easter but just because I took in the material benefits of those holidays and believe there was a God and there was a Jesus Christ didn’t mean I was saved. I mean… even Satan, the Devil, the old serpent and his demons know there is a God and a Jesus Christ.

So what does “born-again” mean?

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘Youmust be born again.' The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8

"Born-Again"... means you have “trusted in” and “believe in” Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior. You have given Him your life, and He in return has given you "His" Spirit (Holy Spirit) who enlightens your understanding. God's Spirit transforms your life as you learn to live/abide by the Holy Spirit and word of God- The Holy Bible.

A "Born-again" Christian does not continue to "practice, exercise, habitually or regularly do the sinful things they used to do. Are they perfect? No!... They make mistakes and they have to fight the lustful ways of the flesh and the solicitations of evil by God who is Spirit and the word of God.

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and life.” John 6:63

^"Then he said to me, 'This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit', says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies." Zechariah 4:6

No one is perfect that is why we all need Jesus Christ as our LORD and Savior. The born-again Christian forgets at times to depend on God and succumbs to outside pressures and falls into sin. The unbeliever needs Jesus just as all do to be saved and transformed. A "born-again" believer wants to please God with their life and the unbeliever doesn’t want to please God but themselves.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 "And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations."

The born-again Christian wants nothing to come between them and God so often even in challenges, revealed by God, a believer will go to God for clarification, understanding, and strength.

The born-again Christian knows a guilty conscious wreaks havoc on the soul…. so they will quickly and humbly repent before God and other believers.

“Holding fast to faith (that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence) and having a good (clear) conscience. By rejecting and thrusting from them [their conscience], some individuals have made shipwreck of their faith.” 1 Timothy 1:19 AMP

CONTINUING TO BE CHALLENGED

As a born-again believer- I am not repulsed by those who speak in tongues. A specialized word from the LORD given to the congregation is pretty regular… I am not uncomfortable when fellow believers raise their hands in worship. Anointing oil and the laying of hands on people is pretty common. It is not unusually to see people dance in service. "Slain" in the Spirit, laughter in the Spirit, drunk in the Spirit- isn’t commonplace but I have seen it and experienced it. - Yes and this is coming from one who was once a skeptic.

I think as a Christian, it is important to ask God to direct you according to His Word when you are spiritually challenged. For we know God, who is Spirit, is living spiritual truth… and that TRUTH inspired the scripture in the bible.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16

God can often challenge us to show we can’t put Him in a box of our own understanding- no matter how big or small the box maybe. And sometimes I think God shows us new things so we will have a conversation with Him. He loves us and he doesn’t want us to limit all he can be in our lives

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Journaling Along Life's Journey.

I am finding with passing fades and standards and norms that seem to continue to worsen - it is refreshing to know that there is a God that never changes.

There is a God that is just, merciful and faithful and no matter what man tries to decide on what is right, wrong and truth - God has the last word. God's standards are always true and when man tries to disregard them- they end up seeing and answering to God one way or another.

(A piece of pottery never tells it's Creator what it's going to do and going to be.)

I am also finding that even when we are at our lowest point in our life or highest point in our life- God wants us to have a relationship with us. That goes for any who have known him for many years or is beginning to take the steps to know him.

Too often I find people have already decided who God is- like he is some buffet or salad bar god (where they can pick and choose the things they want God to be or not be).

Some by their own fears and understandings have decided God is some puppeteer, distant task master and only accepts people who have it "together". But is he?

Can God who created the universe and everything in it be put in a box of our understanding? Are we only going to him when we want something from him? Is that what we did or do to our parents?.... Hope not.

God is beyond anything we can imagine or even hope for. Just look at all he has created and makes sure nothing is left up to chance.

I found him to be an invaluable friend, who is trustworthy, faithful, and wise. He is a counselor, a provider, a healer, Savior, and Father - who wants a relationship with his children.

God is Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Spirit- now try putting that truth in a box.

My hope is through my journal, notes, etc you may "get" a very small glimpse of what God has shown me... It goes without saying that God is SO BIG and beyond anything I could put down in word but I hope this may comfort, encourage, and build you up in Jesus Christ.

May you see and accept my words and testimonies to be humbly honest, genuine and from the heart of a person who has been set free by God and in turn showed me my need for Christ Jesus.

May you find the never ending gift from the Father- Jesus Christ -the Savior, who gives LIFE and eternity in Heaven.

Thank you for reading J.D. JOHNS

Do You Want to Recieve Jesus Christ?

We are sinful.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

Sin has a penalty.
"For the wages of sin is death" Romans 6:23

Christ has paid the penalty.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Salvation is a free gift.
"God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." Ephesians 2:8-9

Christ wants be your Savior but you must recieve him.
"Yet to all who recieved him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12

Do you want to recieve Jesus Christ now?
1. Admit your need. (I am a sinner)
2. Be willing to turn from your sins. (repent)
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and take control of your life through the Holy Spirit. (Recieve Him as Lord and Savior.)

(Prayer)
"Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgivness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name Amen"

If you have prayed this prayer:
1. Read your bible so you can grow in Christ's love and know him better.
2. Talk to God everyday.
3. Try to think of all the things God has done in your life, even when you weren't serving him.
4. Worship, Fellowship and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached.
5. As Christ's representatives in a needy world, depend and trust God so you may demonstrate your new life in Christ Jesus. There he will help you love and have a concern for others.

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Friday, May 09, 2014

Does God Challenge You? 4

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