Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Born Again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aley9_d8vrE
‘Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul,
Thank You, Lord, for making me whole;
Thank You, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.’
—Seth and Bessie Sykes
WITHOUT END #AMEN
Several years later, I wanted to be baptized. It was very important to me. Finally, the day came and the pastor announced, after publicly questioning me, ‘Upon your confession of faith, and in obedience to Christ’s command, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.’
When I was called forward to accept membership into that church, I could barely speak without crying. A neighbor said, ‘God bless you, Wendy.’
What happened to me that day was this wondrous thing of being born again. I went, knowing all the Bible stories, looking down at the kids who over-licked their craft stickers. I felt I knew everything I needed to know about God. But God said, No, you don’t, and I’m going to make you one of Mine.
Listen to the Lord Jesus:
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
We need God to save us from our sins.
1 Corinthians 6
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
And this is not a cold transaction. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
The apostle Paul lists the sins of humanity, sins that flow out of the sin nature that is in rebellion against God ever since the fall in the Garden of Eden:
1 Corinthians 6
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
The song I learned the day I was saved.
Beautiful Saviour/Fairest Lord Jesus
Salvation truly is “of the LORD.”
Jesus said, “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).
God heard me the first time; He doesn’t hear us for our much speaking.
The answer was to stay in the Word, and follow the Lord Jesus, the Spirit dwelling within teaching and changing me.
Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, “He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:14).
It put the burden of acceptance with God back on me, which caused confusion.
It made simple joy in this new relationship to God to be conditional upon whether: Had I really meant it? Should I have worded my prayer differently? Felt a certain way? Maybe God didn’t believe me.
So I prayed again, and again, for some years. And it did not help the doubt I had taken on.
Governments and coalitions, partisans and moderates.
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
WITHOUT END #AMEN
Jeremiah 23
7 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
8 But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
Jeremiah 23
5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Jeremiah 23
3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
The coming of Christ to establish His kingdom will deliver His people Israel; the Passover will be overshadowed by the gathering out of all countries “the remnant of My flock” into the land that God gave them, where righteousness and safety will characterize their life in the Kingdom forever after, because God says, “I will:”
Remember:
The Virgin Birth:
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
And God’s promise to David:
2 Samuel 7: 16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
If the nation has ‘somewhat different’ ages in the eyes of this world, the explanations for each should be included in the history books. That is, for so long as the history books last.
What will last: the Word of God.
Matthew 24:35
Mark 13:31
Luke 21:33
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away.
Our nation would do better if we would acknowledge and remember that the King is coming again to reign, and with Him bringing the Kingdom, as promised in the Word of God.
Romans 9
3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.