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.

The gentleness of a

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:15-16 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

Prayer: Thank you kindly Jehovah Chatsahi (The Lord is my Strength Psalm 27:1 ) for walking amongst us so You understand the trials and temptations, the tribulations and sorrows we experience in our daily life.

As such, when I come to You seeking help You bless ME with: strength where I am weak and the opportunity to use this strength to help others. The mercy to forgive me when I succumb to my weakness and repent of them.

May I extend that to those who repent when they have wronged me. The gentleness of a loving friend to teach others how to be members of Jehovahs holy family when they are uneducated in the proper etiquette befitting such a noble family.

May I guide others to behave in such a regal manner.

I humbly implore You to grant this petition this in Your gracious name. Amen.

May you be blessed with copious amounts of tutoring at the Masters feet to enable you to be a grand example of a noble family and plenty of opportunities to use them.

Joseph a son of Jehovah. This article and photo @ 2021 Joseph a son of Jehovah. All rights reserved. Used only by permission of the author.

Because I Nurture A

Oh my Beloved Jehovah Abba (God our Father 1 John 3:1 ) I have learned the hard way that bad company corrupts good character.

I know that, because I nurture a loving relationship with You, my cherished best friend Jesus Christ will be greeting me with open arms at Heavens Gate.

I know those with disreputable character shall be cursed with a wicked greeting at the gates of Hell by horrid demons.

Please grant me discernment to avoid those that will try to lead me away from You and towards Hell.

Help me to nurture our loving relationship every moment of every day as I walk towards Heavens Gate.

I sincerely request this in the name of He who is my best friend Jesus Christ. Amen

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

This article and photograph @ 2020 Joseph a son of Jehovah

Do Have Powerful Effects on Others.

 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

I thought this, He has that planned.

One day I felt a strong desire to go to a photo shop and have a lot of positive affirmation cards made out using my photo’s and Bible verses added into them. It was assumed that they would be read every morning to get me off to a positive start to the day.

A few weeks after they had been printed the corona virus hit. At the same time some members of moms church began going through some very difficult times as well as facing the loneliness of isolation.

I convinced mom to drive me to their dwelling place (I have never had a drivers licence) and I would place the card in their mail boxes. Mom added a little gift like a box of chocolates.

After reading the card and the accompanying poem I wrote they called up mom just bawling uncontrollably. Thanking her. The cards gave them a lot of comfort and encouragement.

We did the same for shut in seniors that could not get out shopping (there are huge line ups at all the grocery stores so I would go do their shopping for them while mom sat in the vehicle (her health will not allow her to stand for a hour in the line up).

Now is the time for brothers and sisters in Christs holy family to come together and help each other.

I have gotten mom to make a list and call members of her church every day and just talk with them. Now other members are calling each other and encouraging each other following moms lead. It has a incredible effect on bother the callers and the receivers. This makes us stronger and more united. Those shut ins (especially those in seniors homes where visitors are not allowed and they are confined to their rooms) really appreciate it.

Even the simplest acts of love can and do have powerful effects on others. Especially in these difficult frightening times. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Thank you El Marom (Micah 6:6 GOD Most High ) for blessing me with Your guiding hand using Your wisdom which constantly amazes me. I am honoured my Love that You have used me in such a wonderful manner.                                                                                                                                           May many reading this be blessed to follow suit.                                                                                           I give thank and ask in the name of He who constantly confused the wise in His walk on this planet, Jesus Christ. Amen

The gift of love, the gift of joy, the gift of peace, these are the greatest gifts that can be given. They are given in abundance to all those in Christs family by our Heavenly loving  Father to be shared with others. May you be blessed with plentiful opportunities to share these with those around you today. Joseph a son of Jehovah

You are Mine.

 

I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 The Holy Bible New Living Translation

There are two important facts in this verse.

The first one states that Jehovah calls out to you. No one “finds Jesus” as if it were some effort on their own. Jesus comes to you. Do not be arrogant and take credit for something you did not do. Instead, be eternally grateful every day. Thank Jehovah and Jesus for coming to you, bringing you out of darkness and into their brilliant light of love.

Second: We all belong to something. Perhaps, it is a sports team or a type of music or whatever it may be, there is always something that owns our heart.

For me, Jehovah, Jesus and the Holy Spirit own my mind, body and spirit. And, I cannot think of anyone or anything that is more loving and caring than them. It is a great comfort and encouragement knowing that I belong to them.

We are adopted into the most royal family of all. That makes us sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father Jehovah. What an awesome reality. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer : Thank you Jehovah Abba (God our Father) for calling out to me from the darkness to come into Your Divine light. Thank you for adopting me into Your Holy family and for the blessing of always being able to commune with my Poppa (You), my big brother (Jesus) and my amazing Guidance Councillor (the Holy Spirit). I exalt You fro these awesome gifts in the name of my big brother Jesus Christ. Amen

Wishing you a house full of sunshine, hearts full of cheer and love that grows deeper each day of the year. Welsh blessing

Use Them to Share with Others

 Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the Lord had rescued his people from all their troubles. Exodus 18:8 Holy Bible, New Living Translation

This is why it is important to share with others all Jehovah has done for you and through you in your life.

Yes it is important to share this with your children and grandchildren but it is just as important to share these events with your neighbours, your co-workers, those who are baby Christians.

With those outside of the family it may encourage them to become members of Jehovahs family.

For the baby Christians it will strengthen them and encourage them.

When others see or hear of the fact that Jehovah is there with us through it all, it makes Him real to them. He is not some make believe God nor something of old that is irreverent to us today. We use our trials and troubles, sorrows and snares to make Jehovah real to those around us. That is one reason they are given to us, so that we will use them to share with others the providential care of our Heavenly Father.

“The little troubles and worries of life may be as stumbling blocks in our way, or we may make them stepping-stones to a nobler character and to Heaven. Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.” — Henry Ward Beecher

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah ‘Uzam (The Lord is our Strength in Trouble) for blessing me with teaching me that no matter the trials or troubles, heartaches or misery, You are always right there beside me through it all, many times teaching me things that could not be learned any other way. May I be blessed to share this wisdom and encouragement with other brothers and sisters going through their own troubles so as strengthen them through their difficulties. I sincerely request this in the name of He who walked through oh so many trials and tribulations, heartaches and misery with His beautiful friends here on earth Jesus Christ. Amen

Whatever is beautiful, whatever is meaningful, whatever brings you joy, may you be blessed with an abundance of it this every day this year.

To be Nothing.

Even though I am nothing at all.2 Corinthians 12:11 New Living Translation

Saul was a pretty big man in the Jewish community. It was when He met Christ that he learned to be nothing of Himself so that he would be everything for Christ.

Notice I said he “would be” not could be.

It was only when Saul died that Paul began to live.

So too it is with us.

We the individual must die so that we will become children of Jehovah and servants of Christ. It must no longer be me first in our lives but Christ first in everything in our lives that we truly become royal servants.

“Believers have not been distinctly guided to see that nothing is more natural and beautiful and blessed than to be nothing, so that God may be all…” — Andrew Murray

Prayer: Thank you Jesus Hamelech ( Jesus my Lord King ) for the honour of being a humble servant of the most high of King of Kings. It is a great tribute to receive such a high calling. I glorify You in Your highest majestic name. Amen

May love be in your life, may hope be in your heart and may peace be in your every day walk with Christ.

Shouts in the Street.

 This is something we all need to take heed of today.

She raises her voice in the markets; She calls out at the head of the noisy streets [where large crowds gather]; At the entrance of the city gates she speaks her words:

“How long, O naive ones [you who are easily misled], will you love being simple-minded and undiscerning? How long will scoffers [who ridicule and deride] delight in scoffing,  How long will fools [who obstinately mock truth] hate knowledge?

“If you will turn and pay attention to my rebuke, Behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

“Because I called and you refused [to answer], I stretched out my hand and no one has paid attention [to my offer]; And you treated all my counsel as nothing And would not accept my reprimand, I also will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when your dread and panic come,

When your dread and panic come like a storm, And your disaster comes like a whirlwind, When anxiety and distress come upon you [as retribution].

“Then they will call upon me (Wisdom), but I will not answer; They will seek me eagerly but they will not find me.

Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord [that is, obeying Him with reverence and awe-filled respect],
They would not accept my counsel, And they spurned all my rebuke.

“Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own [wicked] way And be satiated with [the penalty of] their own devices.

“For the turning away of the naive will kill them,

And the careless ease of [self-righteous] fools will destroy them.

(Unfortunately I have seen too much of this even in today’s society, especially amongst the liberals, homosexuals and so called intellectuals).

“But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live securely and in confident trust
And will be at ease, without fear or dread of evil.” 

(I have seen this and am living this today. It is a great comfort and instills great peace of the heart). Proverbs 1:20-33 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

Ignore wisdom and pay the price in a living Hell on this earth and an eternal one in the next life. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Emet (God of truth) for blessing me with Your indisputable truth. It has enlightened me to a life free from the darkness around me and the gift of walking in Your righteous light all the way to Heaven. I praise You in the name of the light of the world Jesus Christ. Amen

The gift of love, the gift of joy, the gift of peace, these are the greatest gifts that can be given. They are given in abundance to all those in Christs family by our Heavenly loving  Father. May you be blessed with plentiful opportunities to share these with those around you today.

He is Worthy Of

 Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

Think of the one relative that you loved as a child when growing up. When they told you something you trusted them that is was the truth.

How much more is Jehovah worthy of our trust? The longer you have walked with Him the longer the list is (which is why it is important for us more mature in the family to come along beside one not as mature as us and help them by sharing events in our lives where Jehovah has come through for us). Because He has come through for us in the past our obedience unto Him should expand in the present and in the future which is a form of faith in Him. We do this because we have confidence in His providence even though some times it does not make sense to us.

“God is God. Because He is God, He is worthy of my trust and obedience. I will find rest nowhere but in His holy will, a will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what He is up to.” Elisabeth Elliot

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Emunah (God is faithful) for always being faithful to Your numerous promises to me. May I always be a faithful child to You. I give thanks for this blessing and make this vow in the name of Your most faithful son Jesus Christ. Amen

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

Regret is Stronger than Gratitude.

Do not neglect to extend hospitality to strangers [especially among the family of believers—being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously]Hebrews 13:2 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

I have seen more people come to a friend or family members funeral than to their house to visit them while they are alive. I hear them wail how much they will miss their relative or friend when in life they neglected them. It is so phony it is pathetic.

I make it a point to be respectful, polite and friendly with every one when possible (there are some unlovable folks in this world who will do nothing but abuse you and use you. They bring nothing but grief to the heart and misery to the life. Those ones are avoided like the plague). You never know if the next time you see them they will be in a casket.

Now that is not the reason to be respectful, polite and friendly with them, we do so as an extension of Christs love in our hearts. We have no regrets at any funeral though.

“Dead people receive more flowers than the living because regret is stronger than gratitude.” Anne Frank

Prayer: Please Jehovah Kal El (voice of God) bless me that my voice may always echo Your voice of love, respect and encouragement to all that come my way this day and every day. I humbly beseech You in the name of He who always spoke in a loving tone when He walked among us Jesus Christ. Amen

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