Born of God

How are individuals made alive spiritually?

Jesus said, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 NET).

The Bible teaches us that we become a child of God only through the new birth. Those who believe on Jesus Christ become God’s children. “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).

By whose authority do we become the children of God? “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right . . .” It is the authority of Jesus Christ. Those who believe on Him have the right to become the children of God.

It is clearly not a physical birth, but a spiritual birth that is in mind, and it is something that is received by the person who believes in Him (1 Pet. 1:23). The initiative in the new birth is with God.

Without Christ we are spiritually dead in trespasses and sin (Eph. 2:1-3). Every individual must be born again because the natural man is altogether void of spiritual life. We need divine life, and that is what God provides through the new birth.

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36, 16). He has it right now (1 John 5:13). Clearly the individual who believes on Him receives God’s kind of life (6:40). It is the teaching throughout the New Testament (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 10:9-10).

The biblical doctrine of the new birth takes all the glory and initiative away from man and gives it all to God the Father. He alone is responsible for our salvation; therefore, He alone gets all the glory. He creates the new spiritual life within us and causes us to believe on Christ. God chooses to give us eternal life (1 Jn. 3:1; Eph. 1:5; Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23).

We become a child of God when God gives us His life. It is an act of God. We receive that life the moment we believe on Christ. It comes from God and is received only on the basis of God’s grace. Those who believe become God’s children. Only by receiving Christ do we gain the right to become a child of God.

How do we not become a child of God? There is absolutely nothing that man can do to contribute to his spiritual birth. This is made very clear in John 1:13, “who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” No amount of human activity, religious cultivation, or moral teaching can change the essential nature of man. Therefore, it is imperative that man’s deepest need is to be born again.

In the Jewish mind “blood” is equivalent to human life. Spiritual birth cannot come about as a result of any human process or achievement. Man is not by nature a child of God. We are by nature sinners. No human agency can achieve the new birth. All human effort is powerless and superficial in regard to spiritual life. There is nothing in our human nature or character that can bring about a spiritual birth.

“Born of the water and the Spirit” does not refer to baptism regeneration (John 3:5). From the context “water” here is referring to the water bag broken at physical birth of a baby. Water here is symbolic of a spiritual birth. From other passages of Scripture we learn that baptism is in no wise essential to salvation. It does not form one of the conditions which God requires the sinner to meet. If baptism were necessary then man would be saved by his works.

The Bible teaches we are saved by grace through faith in Christ and not of works. It is the free gift of God. “What must I do to be saved?” The Bible says “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31).

The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to bring about regeneration (1 Pet. 1:23). No sinner is born spiritually apart from the Word. The “children” are those who believe on Christ. Men are God’s sons only as they respond to what He does for them in Christ. They are born into God’s family when they receive His Word.

The new birth is an absolute miracle. All human initiative and effort is ruled out. Men are “born of God.” There is no other way to become a child of God. It is the work of the Holy Spirit within the person. It is life in Christ and is divine in origin. The whole emphasis in this verse and in John chapter three is the activity of the Spirit of God, not human effort, works or merits by demanding the sinner to be “born again.” He excludes any possibility of human effort in salvation.

The word “believing” and “receiving” refer to the same operation of the Holy Spirit when a person ceases trusting in his own human merits and trust in Christ Jesus alone for salvation.

Are you enjoying the things of God, spiritual things, which are discerned and enjoyed by spiritual regeneration? Are you enjoying the privileges of being a child of God? In order to have spiritual discernment we must be born again (1 Cor. 2:10, 14).

The Holy Spirit gives us a new spiritual nature. When He gives us this new nature we are “born again” (2 Pet. 1:4). It is an act of God.

Because of this new birth the individual is a changed person who loves the things he once hated, and hates the things he once loved. A radical change takes place in the heart of the believer.  “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new thing have come” (2 Cor. 5:17). The NET Bible reads, “So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away–look, what is new has come!”

SELAH! Pause – reflect- just think of that!

Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006

Anyone is free to use this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author’s written consent.

Revealer of Mysteries

 Thank you Jehovah GELAH RAZ ( the God of the Revealer of Mysteries Colossians 1:26 ) for all the amazing revelations You have blessed me with.

Thank you that You did so in a simple manner in which was easy to understand.

Thank you for sending me the best teacher, the Holy Spirit. He has taught me so many important lessons in walking in accordance with Your will.

These have healed me, strengthened me, encouraged me and matured me.

They have also joined our hearts ever closer and stronger than any man made glue.

Thank you that He also taught me how to be blessed with having a heart to heart conversation with You as well as just enjoying walking and talking with You.

I thank you in the name of He with whom I have the most enjoyable conversations with, my best friend, Jesus Christ. Amen

May your house be filled with joy in the morning and sweet dreams at night. May it be a home where love has come to live. Joseph a son of Jehovah

This article and photo @ 2020 Joseph a son of Jehovah. All rights reserved. Used only by permission of the author.

It Was Not Easy for Him.

“Have you thought about His (God) handling of the gospel? God needs to get a message out to the human race, without which they will perish…forever. What’s the plan? First, He starts with the most unlikely group ever: a couple of prostitutes, a few fishermen with no better than a second-grade education, a tax collector. Then, he passes the ball to us. Unbelievable.” — John Eldredge        

Me, I was a shy, timid, sick boy.                                            

Through the course of forty years Jehovah has taken me all over my country Canada and helped me bring the lost to Him. He took me to the forest in the mountains and on the prairies tree planting in extremely difficult and dangerous situations                                                                         

He was with me through a long dangerous, and many times painful four thousand bicycle journey from western coastal Canada, through the western coastal United States and down through Mexico to be a medical missionary. He did this three winters in a row.    

He then took me all over China in the course of ten years.                                         

Now He has brought me home after forty years to be a live in care giver for my mother, which ain’t easy.                                                                                    

It was not easy for Him.                                                                                

There was little self confidence, which is good.                                                    

There was little confidence in Him, which was good because little by little He drew me ever closer to Him.                                                                                  

So, do not believe the devils lies that you are not educated enough, you are not a good speaker, you are shy,you are, you are, the list goes on and on.                         

When Jehovah calls you into service, and He will, have faith in Him and His abilities not your own. Watch the amazing things He will do in you and through you.                               “

Then I will give to the peoples [clear and pure speech from] purified lips [which reflect their purified hearts], That all of them may call on the name of the Lord, To serve Him shoulder to shoulder (united).Zephaniah 3:9 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

Prayer: Thank you Jesus Hamelech ( Jesus my Lord King ) for taking a misfit like me and molding me into a servant of Your and for all the amazing work You have accomplished in me and through me. I exalt Your awesome name. Amen.

Christ blesses us with love, peace and joy. May you be blessed with many opportunities to share these with others today.

Firm and Unchangeable.

 

 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven [standing firm and unchangeable]. Psalm 119:89 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

Jehovahs word has stood the test of time.

Most other religions have faded into history or been renovated to accommodate the times.

Jehovahs word is firm and unchangeable in every society.

Psychological thought for society has changed throughout history.

Jehovahs never changes and is always true.

If you desire wisdom in every aspect of you life turn to the only book that is the Divine truth and the epitome of Wisdom that has stood unchangeable and firm for eons. It is called The Holy Bible.

Why not ask Jehovah to reveal its treasures to you and see the amazing results in your life.

It still amazes me every day with its wisdom.

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah ‘Ori (the Lord is my Light) for consistently enlightening me to the amazing treasures in Your awesome Book of Wisdom ( the Holy Bible). I praise You in the name of the wisest teacher of all Jesus Christ. Amen

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

How is Your Spiritual Training Going?

 For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

How is your spiritual training going?

If a long distance runner does not practice almost every day he is not able to compete. If instead of practicing and listening to his coaches he spends his time at the bar drinking beer there is no way he can compete in any race and there is certainly no way he will finish it. Everybody watching him will laugh at him.

So too it is with the Christian race.

We need to train every day to get stronger. We train by at the beginning of every day praying.

Praying consists of three parts: To begin with we thank Jehovah for all the blessing He has bestowed upon us both big and small while apologizing for the sins we have committed both big and small.

The second part is to pray for Jehovahs will to be done in our daily lives not our own and for help to accomplish this.

The third part is to be praying for others. Joseph- Anthony: Green

The next part is asking Jehovah to bless us with wisdom while reading His instruction manual for this race, it is called the Bible and obeying what He reveals for us (write it down to contemplate upon it through out the day).

Finally we need to pray that Jehovah blesses us with Godly wise men and women to be our mentors to teach and encourage us in this race ( of course that means we are to be mentors to those who are not as progressed in the race as we are).

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah ‘Immeku (The Lord Is With You) for always being with me a listening when I approach You in prayer. I am humbled that one as great as You desires to listen to me and talk with me through constant prayer. I exalt You in the name of He who taught us the best way to pray Jesus Christ. Amen

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

Then You Will Have Good Success.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful. Joshua 1:8 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

It is amazing that no matter how many decades we read the Bible it always teaches us new things and reminds us of lessons taught so long ago. I love to tape meditation verses and Christian quotes and listen to them every day. Soon they are ingrained in my very core.

The fruition in this is of course being prosperous in being successful in dealings with others.

It is used to teach others in a manner in which is helpful to them, it is used to strengthen and encourage those enduring trials and tribulations, sorrows and snares.

It is also the greatest weapon used to not only defend myself when attacked by the devils minions but to totally destroy them ( Yes we are in a battle against these vile creatures and no quarter is to be given unto them. When this happens they flee from you and never bother you again and you also protect the innocent ones being attacked by them. In the west we call them liberals and the politically correct. They are a plague upon society ).

It is impossible to be Christ correct and liberal at the same time. Joseph- Anthony: Green

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Rabbi (God our Teacher) for teaching me the meaning of Your righteous Word and how to implement it in my life to be spiritually and mentally prosperous and successful in my daily walk with You. I thank you in the name of He who taught and used the word most successfully Jesus Christ. Amen

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

His Name is Jehovah.

 “When my soul was fainting within me, I remembered the Lord, And my prayer came to You, Into Your holy temple. Jonah 2:7 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

The older we get the more our soul faints with in, except, for those of us who belong to Christ.

You know why our soul does not grow weak?

Because we have the greatest strengthener there can ever be. His name is Jehovah.

I cannot count the number of times my finances were exhausted and I had no job because of a recession. Yes money was put away for this inevitability but it was put into investments that a naive one like me did not realize that the investment firm would charge exorbitant charges for cashing in the investment and the blood sucker government would take a huge chunk as well leaving me with a pittance to hold me over. That is what happens when you trust in corporations in my opinion, they are out to make money off of you and do not want to pay out. It took many years to walk away from these scoundrels and depend upon the best investment councilor there is. His name is Jehovah. Since listening to His wise advice and obeying His guidance there has never been a shortage of fiances ( mind you part of that is learning to live frugally and not to be a part of the foolish materialistic world).

In my younger days I used to read a lot of self help books to improve myself. Some were good and are still referenced to today ( especially because they confirm what the Bible says) but most were complete rubbish (especially the ones written by the “ new agers” ).

Self help is no where near as effective as Jehovahs help. Joseph- Anthony: Green

Today I depend upon the wisest Guidance Councilor there is.

His name is Jehovah.

Through His guidance book ( the Holy Bible), good Christian councilors and preachers He has remolded me in so many incredible ways so that there is no semblance of the old creature but only a new and much improved child of His.

The same is said in dealing with interpersonal relationships. Yes there are still times when my soul becomes weak within me but when those times come ( and they always do ) the proper course of action is taken and the soul is strengthened. The proper course of course is taking it to my loving, wise Councilor.

His name is Jehovah.

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Chatsahi (The Lord is my Strength) for blessing me with Your ultimate strength in my times of weaknesses. I would have never made it without You my love. I extol Thee in the name of my strong Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

Show You Great and Mighty Things

 ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.’ Jeremiah 33:3 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

The best education you can get is in the University of Jehovah. Man the courses provided there are unimaginable. One of the benefits of attending this university is that the courses are never ending. Just as you complete one another one begins. Just when you naively belief there is nothing else to learn something pops up that stuns and amazes you.

Yes there are exams but you cannot study for them. Either you have learned them or you have to repeat the course. There is no failing just that you need more tutoring to digest what is being taught.

Of course we have our mentor ( The Holy Spirit ) is on twenty four hour call. He may not answer your call all the time though. That is because He does not want you to get lazy and have Him do all your thinking for you. As you progress at this university you fall deeper and deeper in love with the faculty:

The headmaster is a kindly Father called Jehovah, the Head Teacher is a patient teacher by the name of Jesus Christ and the mentor is truly awesome the manner in which He tutors to each of us individually by the name of The Holy Spirit.

The more you are at this university the more time you desire to talk with these three incredible deans ( some call it prayer).

The admission price is accepting Jesus Christ as your savior, king and best friend. That you as such, have become His bondsman or woman ( which means you freely serve them out of love ). The invitation is open to all, rich and poor, young and old of every nationality.

Why do you not come join us?

The graduation services are held in a beautiful place that will be our eternal home, it is called Heaven.

“What wings are to a bird and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.” Corrie Ten Boom

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Rabbi (God our Teacher) for blessing me with entry into the most amazing school there can every be with the most awesome teachers. Thank you for the free life time enrolment and for the patience with this some times dull witted student. I praise You in the name of He whose blood paid the tuition fee Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

The Original Power Supply

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do super abundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20 Holy Bible Amplified Version.

He is the best super supplier there can ever be.

Notice that He does not say that He will not supply you with toys or expensive houses or the perfect mate or job.

This power supply is to accomplish the work He has predestined for His obedient children to do in His Divine plan.

It does not mean you will be eating steak and potatoes for breakfast every morning (most of us will be lucky to be eating rice and beans ).

As Jehovah is spirit so too will His abundant supply be spiritual.

If you notice it says that this power is with in us.

He will accomplish His tasks for us through the Holy Spirit which will abundantly supply us with wisdom , grace , humbleness and meekness. The work we accomplish in harmony with the Holy Spirit will stun those who knew us before we became Christ’s servants ( as Jesus is our king that means we are His bondsmen and women – that means we freely serve our King out of love , respect , and admiration ) .

I know it shocked many who had not seen me in a few decades the amazing transformation in my life.

As this is accomplished we ourselves will be amazed at just how much He can implement in those who are servile unto His Divine will. This will envelope us with awe , love and joy.

I still want to laugh in wonder at His incredible feats in my life when He still surprises me and I cannot but help shout : “ You are such an awesome God and I love you immeasurably my Love. “

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah-Jireh (God is our Provider) for blessing me with Your awesome provisions needed to accomplish the amazing feats You have prepared for me to accomplish in Your Heavenly plan for my life . I extol Thee in the name of He who provided for the four thousand Jesus Christ . Amen

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

Who Has the Greatest Authority?

 I sought the Lord [on the authority of His word], and He answered me. Psalm 34:4 Holy Bible Amplified Version

Who has the greatest authority ?

When you need answers to lifes problems who do you think has the greatest authority ( wisdom ) : Jehovah or a psychiatrist ? Jehovah is all wise while the psychiatrist is based upon human wisdom which is faulty. Therefore, which one do you think is the best choice to go to when you have problems ( now Jehovah may guide you to Bible centred therapists and or help groups.

When you need financial advice who do you believe has the greatest authority ( wisdom ) Jehovah who is concerned about your welfare or a financial advisor who is concerned about his commission and the financial institutional profits he works for ? Now Jehovah may guide you to Bible centred financial advisors.

Therefore when you encounter any and all problems in life should you not seek out the greatest authority ( wisdom ) and of course that is Jehovah hands down every time. When you ask , you must ask in faith and be prepared to obey His guidance or else why waste your time and His ?

You can see God from anywhere if your mind is set to love and obey Him. –A.W. Tozer

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Rabbi (God our Teacher) for Your Divine intercession with Your ultimate wisdom , strength and providence to bring resolution to all my problems. I exalt You in the name of He who taught His disciples amazingly Jesus Christ . Amen

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.