LOVING for the JOY of it

 

Isaiah 40:11

King James Version

11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: 

he shall gather the lambs with his arm, 

and carry them in his bosom, 

and shall gently lead those 

that are with young.

Ever tried loving, without thought of return?

Ever worked, without thought of pay?

Ever cared for others, just for the joy of it?

Ever saw the beauty of others, just as they are?

Ever gave your heart to the Lord, for it felt right?

Ever read the Bible, realizing it was the most beautiful book in the world?

Well, that's what happened to me, in the 26 months God made me born again.

Invaluable knowledge.

Growing wisdom.

Priceless truths.

I began to enjoy the little things in life.

More than ever.

Though I've always liked simple, as born again, I became even simpler.

JESUS ruled my life.

I surrendered everything to Him.

It was a relief to do so.

For, by myself, I was not able to figure out my life.

With JESUS, things began to make sense.

My thinking became organized.

My writing became sensible.

My loving became real.

Everything streamed forth, from Jesus.

Like rays of light from His heart, my heart began to shine, too.

I became truly happy, and content.

And when grief passed by our house 36 days ago, I could only reminisce about my beloved baby sis.

She was a gift from heaven.

She was my partner at work.

With God, with Jesus, with the Holy Spirit, and with my sis, I was able to study, write, create, and share much each day.

Now that my heart has been shattered, I look to Jesus for help.

Only through JESUS can I have the strength to keep going.

Physically, I don't have my baby sis to hold anymore.

But spiritually, she is with JESUS now.

My heart continues to overflow with love for her.

Earth time is not sufficient time for love.

I await the day, I will be reunited with her.

For all eternity.

Revelation 21:1-5

King James Version

21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: 

for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; 

and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, 

new Jerusalem, 

coming down from God out of heaven, 

prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 

Behold, 

the tabernacle of God is with men, 

and he will dwell with them,

 and they shall be his people, 

and God himself shall be with them, 

and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; 

and there shall be no more death,

neither sorrow, 

nor crying, 

neither shall there be any more pain: 

for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, 

Behold, 

I make all things new. 

And he said unto me, 

Write: 

for these words are true and faithful.

Love does not think of gain.

It only gives.

1 John 4:7-13

King James Version

7 Beloved, 

let us love one another: 

for love is of God; 

and every one that loveth is born of God, 

and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; 

for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, 

because that God sent his only begotten Son 

into the world, 

that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, 

not that we loved God, 

but that he loved us, 

and sent his Son to be the propitiation 

for our sins.

11 Beloved, 

if God so loved us, 

we ought also to love one another.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. 

If we love one another, 

God dwelleth in us, 

and his love is perfected in us.

13 Hereby know we 

that we dwell in him, 

and he in us, 

because he hath given us of his Spirit.

Romans 8:38-39

King James Version

38 For I am persuaded, 

that neither death, 

nor life, 

nor angels, 

nor principalities, 

nor powers, 

nor things present, 

nor things to come,

39 Nor height, 

nor depth, 

nor any other creature, 

shall be able to separate us 

from the love of God, 

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Related material:

LOVING one ANOTHER

BORN AGAIN articles

WORD of GOD

(Image source: Pixabay)

JESUS calls us to OBEDIENCE

 

JESUS taught us to pray, and obey:

Matthew 6:10

King James Version

10 Thy kingdom come, 

Thy will be done in earth, 

as it is in heaven.

Why is it important to obey God?

What good could it do?

It's a call to love.

If we love God, we will obey Him.

JESUS is precise about this call to obedience.

The following verses testify to that:

John 14:15

King James Version

15 If ye love me, 

keep my commandments.

John 14:21

King James Version

21 He that hath my commandments, 

and keepeth them, 

he it is that loveth me: 

and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, 

and I will love him, 

and will manifest myself to him.

John 14:23

King James Version

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, 

If a man love me, 

he will keep my words: 

and my Father will love him, 

and we will come unto him, 

and make our abode with him.

John 15:14

King James Version

14 Ye are my friends, 

if ye do whatsoever I command you.

John 15:16

King James Version

16 Ye have not chosen me, 

but I have chosen you, 

and ordained you, 

that ye should go and bring forth fruit, 

and that your fruit should remain: 

that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, 

he may give it you.

John 7:17

King James Version

17 If any man will do his will, 

he shall know of the doctrine, 

whether it be of God, 

or whether I speak of myself.

Luke 6:46

King James Version

46 And why call ye me, 

Lord, Lord, 

and do not the things which I say?

Luke 11:28

King James Version

28 But he said, 

Yea rather, 

blessed are they that hear the word of God, 

and keep it.

Matthew 7:21

King James Version

21 Not every one that saith unto me, 

Lord, Lord, 

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; 

but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Related article:

What happens when we LOVE and OBEY God?

How being born again TRANSFORMS you

 

Psalm 136:26

King James Version

26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: 

for his mercy endureth for ever.

Happiness at having found God.

That's what happens when you've become born again.

All things become clear.

Scripture becomes easy to understand.

God becomes a delight to understand.

You focus on God alone.

Jesus becomes your Lord.

Life becomes a life of service to the Lord.

Knowing God's will and following it, becomes your focus.

Your heart becomes grateful for all your blessings.

You begin to understand the mystery of God.

You see the hand of God in everything.

Your whole life centers around God now.

Self is no more.

John 3:30

King James Version

30 He must increase, 

but I must decrease.

Once you seek God with all your heart, expect an answer.

Once God answers, you will forever be transformed.

He will ask you become born again.

It is the first step to understanding Jesus.

Once you become born again, all become clear.

Once you've found God, you'll never let go.

Once the Holy Spirit is given, never again will you listen to the world.

Once Spirit instructs you, you marvel at the magnificent lessons.

Once you begin to understand the ways of God, you are filled with awe, joy, and excitement.

You welcome the lessons Spirit wishes to give you.

You lose interest in the ways of the world, for now, you know how God's ways are.

You know where you're going, what you're doing -- the point of it all.

Your purpose in life finally becomes clear, only because you are now following the will of God.

Only by being born again can you understand the gift of grace, love, and compassion.

There is no regret at what seems to have been time lost, for God knows EXACTLY when you will come around.

EVERYTHING serves His PURPOSE.

EVERYTHING is for His GLORY.

EVERYTHING is for JESUS.

How can you know all that, unless you become born again?

Follow the Lord's command.

John 3:3-7

King James Version

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, 

Verily, verily, 

I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born again, 

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, 

How can a man be born when he is old? 

can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, 

and be born?

5 Jesus answered, 

Verily, verily, 

I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

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.

EXPECT the GREATEST journey EVER

 

Psalm 121:8

King James Version

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out 

and thy coming in 

from this time forth, 

and even for evermore.

It's not a hard journey.

It's a heart journey.

This thing about seeking God.

With all your heart.

With every fiber of your being.

In all sincerity.

God sees that.

God knows that.

God will reward that.

By making you born again.

So you can understand Him.

Only He can, anyway.

Others will try.

Won't work.

Unless they've been anointed by Spirit.

We need the anointing of the Holy Spirit of God.

He's a gift from Heaven, mind you.

He is the TEACHER of TRUTH.

Call Him TOT, for us new tots.

Yes, I'm that playful with the Lord.

Our relationship has been established.

Only God can anoint us with His Spirit.

Once we become anointed, becoming born again follows.

Then you start reading Scripture.

And you'll be surprised how easy it is to understand the Bible.

And you'll wonder why you never touched God's Book before.

But God knows why.

You were not ready.

He was always there.

You weren't.

He knew you needed to find your way around.

And because it's "around", yes, you traveled in circles.

Until you got dizzy.

God was kind.

And amused.

He knew, at a day of HIS choosing, you'll become His.

So, He let you make your way through life.

And one day, you can't figure things out anymore.

Seems, you ran out of answers.

You ran out of jobs.

You ran out of money.

You ran out of ideas.

Maybe, people even ran out on you.

And yes, maybe, even with your money.

What used to work, didn't anymore.

You can't seem to duplicate your success anymore.

Now, you're ready for REAL answers.

That's God's signal to enter your life.

Sure, it may have taken years, or decades.

But that's how real journeys are.

The kind that sticks.

Learning that sticks.

You've got a history.

God uses that history.

For HIS precise purposes.

He did create you, through Adam.

Your forefather was driven from Eden.

After that, hardships began.

The journey has been long.

They journey was often confusing.

Laid with traps, hits, misses, failures, successes, confusion.

Matthew 24:13

King James Version

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, 

the same shall be saved.

For the child-like heart, it becomes funny.

Then, you begin to see a pattern.

And you get many aha moments.

Only a born again child-like student of Spirit could be that way.

For he becomes teachable.

Because he got humbled.

Many times over.

Now, the real instruction begins.

You have to throw world wisdom out the door.

Now, you're ready for CHRIST's wisdom.

Did you think you were traveling alone?

Sure, you had family, and friends.

Sure, you had a spouse, or a partner.

Or, maybe none.

Maybe you even had kids, and grandchildren.

Or, maybe none.

But God never let you stray away from His eye.

Especially when He knew you were actively, and maybe unknowingly, seeking Him.

Psalm 34:15

King James Version

15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, 

and his ears are open unto their cry.

God knew what was in your heart.

But He let you be.

It's the only way to take one's personal journey.

Like a child trying to get up, then falls.

But keeps going, and waits for the smiles from his parents, when he finally manages to hold on to a low table, without falling.

In life, we lived for such praise.

We had no idea, SOMEONE was waiting to be praised, too.

"He'll come around," God says.

God is patient.

He owns eternity.

2 Peter 3:8

King James Version

8 But, 

beloved, 

be not ignorant of this one thing, 

that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, 

and a thousand years as one day.

Hopefully, before the time in our lives run out, we would have diligently sought God.

And once we do -- anointed by Spirit -- we shall never revert to our old ways.

2 Corinthians 5:17

King James Version

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, 

he is a new creature: 

old things are passed away; 

behold, 

all things are become new.

There's no way we could.

Unless we become slack, or get tempted all over again.

But once we are God's, there's no turning back.

We'd be sorely ashamed, and reviled at ourselves if we do.

For JESUS gave up His life for us.

And by His blood we are saved.

Hebrews 10:26

King James Version

26 For if we sin wilfully 

after that we have received 

the knowledge of the truth, 

there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Soon as we believe in Jesus and accept His SONSHIP, the Holy Spirit of God is gifted us, to teach us ALL things JESUS.

We will walk in the LORD's Light.

John 8:12

King James Version

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, 

saying, 

I am the light of the world: 

he that followeth me 

shall not walk in darkness, 

but shall have the light of life.

Never again will we walk in darkness.

Groping, fumbling, stumbling, falling.

Our journey will become clearer, and full of God's meaning.

Sure, it may turn difficult in a way, if you observe how the world wants you to be.

You'll be going against its grain, after all.

And it will want you back.

But when you are Christ's own, you will drop the addicting, purposeless, destructive ways of the world.

Your heart is now solely focused on CHRIST.

He is the beat of your heart's drum.

Your hearts will be one.

You have accepted His invitation.

You will want others to know, too.

From thereon, your life will have REAL meaning, REAL purpose, REAL clarity, and REAL joy.

Revelation 21:4

King James Version

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;

 and there shall be no more death, 

neither sorrow, 

nor crying, 

neither shall there be any more pain: 

for the former things are passed away.

Are you ready for this type of journey?

Methinks you ought to start now.

I can vouch for it.

I'm close to 600 marvelous days now.

It's literally, and spiritually, been the GREATEST journey EVER!

It always is.

When it's back to GOD.

He's got your back.

And yes, expect to travel lightly.

The LORD will have much for you to do.

The RIGHT born again CHURCH

 

Matthew 23:8

King James Version

8 But be not ye called Rabbi: 

for one is your Master, 

even Christ; 

and all ye are brethren.

You know that song which speaks of "no walls, no ceilings, no floor"?

Well, that's pretty much my born again church.

There is no temple structure.

And there's only ONE minister.

CHRIST.

The WORD of GOD.

The SON of GOD.

Colossians 1:18

King James Version

18 And he is the head of the body, 

the church: 

who is the beginning, 

the firstborn from the dead; 

that in all things 

he might have the preeminence.

I don't belong to any church in the world.

I belong to a church of the SPIRIT.

God is a Spirit, and I worship Him that way.

Quietly.

Privately.

John 4:24

King James Version

24 God is a Spirit: 

and they that worship him 

must worship him in spirit 

and in truth.

It is not in my character to go outside of myself to worship.

Or to listen to the world.

I prefer quiet study.

God knows that.

Thus, He's instructing me differently.

Perhaps, for those who like congregations, it will be different.

But for myself, this is how the Spirit of God instructs me.

I take instructions from Spirit alone.

My body is His Spirit's temple.

I'd pray directly to Jesus.

His Holy Spirit would lead me to an idea.

Or a verse.

Or many verses.

And an article would be born.

It's how I get a better understanding of God each day.

I only write, when "endued with power from on high".

I wait on the Lord.

His WORD alone, must prevail.

Apostle John was shown a different church, in the future:

Revelation 21:22-23

King James Version

22 And I saw no temple therein: 

for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb 

are the temple of it.

23 And the city had no need of the sun, 

neither of the moon, to shine in it: 

for the glory of God did lighten it, 

and the Lamb is the light thereof.

"no walls, no ceiling, no floor"

So, why are churches trying to outdo each other?

In terms of volume of members, importance of donors, height of libraries, extent of intellect, amount of collections, and popularity of ministers?

Is that what JESUS wants?

This is what He wants:

Matthew 21:11-13

King James Version

11 And the multitude said, 

This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, 

and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, 

and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, 

and the seats of them that sold doves,

13 And said unto them, 

It is written, 

My house shall be called the house of prayer; 

but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Related read:

On ERRING Ministries

GOD wanted me to WRITE

SPIRIT and the 7 churches

REVITALIZING churches

Related video:

Pray and Be Alone With God - Paul Washer

Image: jplenio

Updated 3 May 2023

Honoring JESUS

 

Labor is not labor,

when done with love,

for JESUS.

Because I love Jesus, I do my best to follow His commandments.

And because I am far from perfect, I have to write about sin.

I need to correct myself first.

As a born again, I need to understand what Scripture says, so I can follow the Lord's commandments, write about His specific instructions, and share it with you.

The Holy Spirit has been my teacher for over 18 months now.

He leads me to the verses, and everything else in my life, and work, for I desire to serve God, and you.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 

King James Version

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, 

and is profitable for doctrine, 

for reproof, 

for correction, 

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, 

thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

I need to be precise, for I can offer you no less.

I cannot honor the Spirit less than attention, and accuracy, too.

May my series of articles on sin be worthy of Jesus, even as I have a long way to go in being perfect for God.

But that first step is always the most important.

Since becoming  born again, I've made my focus on Jesus alone, on His EXACT words and instructions, on His fulfillment of Scripture, and on His sacrifice at the cross, that we may live.

1 Corinthians 2:2 (KJV)

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, 

save Jesus Christ, 

and him crucified.

I found that writing on sin was an astounding process, for there was SO MUCH material on it.

I had to make sure I understood the nature of each sin, and what the consequences were.

I could have been overwhelmed, but the Holy Spirit of God led me by the hand each moment.

Spirit and I started with abominations to God.

Repentance was what Jesus asked of us.

We are sick in the soul, and He is the Physician.

Only through Jesus can we be healed from our consorting with darkness.

Mark 2:17 (KJV)

17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, 

They that are whole have no need of the physician, 

but they that are sick: 

I came not to call the righteous, 

but sinners to repentance.

It's been a week since I first started that series on sin, and Holy Spirit has inspired me to write 30 articles relevant to it -- whether it be of the actual sin, or the help Jesus can give for it.

Everything, as always, is based on Scripture.

The important thing is sin awareness, and thus, repentance.

Let our hearts be humble before the Lord.

Romans 3:23 (KJV)

23 For all have sinned, 

and come short of the glory of God;

Click this link to view the series on sin.

We need the instructions of Jesus in these perilous times.

Updated 25 January 2022

God's PERFECT timing

 

Habakkuk 2:3

King James Version

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, 

but at the end it shall speak, 

and not lie: 

though it tarry, 

wait for it; 

because it will surely come, 

it will not tarry.

Heart, and precision.

That's how you can differentiate God from the world.

Unless you're born again, you won't understand the beauty, and elegance, of God's PERFECT timing.

You must be of the Spirit, to know Spirit.

Only when you're born again, in perfect obedience to God, waiting on His will, and instructions -- from His Holy Spirit -- can you be trusting, and patient.

If you're not born again, you will remain captive to the world.

You will be beholden to its demands, and time table.

You will live in fear and confusion.

Not so when you are God's.

Psalm 147:5 (KJV)

5 Great is our Lord, 

and of great power: 

his understanding is infinite.

He will tell you what you need to know, in EXACTLY the manner He designed for you to understand.

God is a God of PRECISION.

His timing is perfect, exquisite, and magnificent!

He'll know when to help you.

He'll know when to answer your prayers.

He'll know how to answer your prayers.

He'll give you specific instructions, from the Holy Spirit, or from His angels (as in the Old Testament).

Consider the instructions given Lot when God instructed His angels to get him to leave Sodom and Gomorrah, and there he was, tarrying:

Genesis 19:17 (KJV)

17 And it came to pass, 

when they had brought them forth abroad, 

that he said, 

Escape for thy life; 

look not behind thee, 

neither stay thou in all the plain; 

escape to the mountain, 

lest thou be consumed.

As born again, all you need to do is pray, wait, listen, trust, and do God's will.

Trust not the world, nor your will.

Trust only God, and wait upon Him.

Psalm 27:14 (KJV)

14 Wait on the Lord: 

be of good courage, 

and he shall strengthen thine heart: 

wait, I say, on the Lord.

God will always lead you to safety, to wisdom, to love, to Christ.

Only God would know how to help you, for He knows your needs.

How can you enjoy the magnificence of the Lord, unless you are His?

Become born again, and you will marvel at all the clues, inspiration, and instructions from the Holy Spirit, who will lead you to safety.

Even this article you're reading now was inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.

As I thought of how perfect God's timing was in my own life, ever since I was born again, the Holy Spirit inspired me to write this for all of you.

I testify of God's truth.

If you are not born again, the world will make sure you are kept in the dark, your soul reserved for its purpose.

Become God's now, and trust this verse:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; 

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, 

and he shall direct thy paths.

Updated 25 January 2022

Being BORN AGAIN is a GIFT from God

 

1 John 4:9-11 

King James Version

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, 

because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, 

that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, 

not that we loved God, 

but that he loved us, 

and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, 

if God so loved us, 

we ought also to love one another.

You cannot be born again, unless God thinks you're really ready for Him. 

God decides when, and how.

God decides about everything, in fulfillment of His own plans for 7.8 billion people on earth.

Only God could do that.

If you seek the Lord, with all your heart, He will be found.

Even as He had been there all this time.

Just that you weren't.

Pretty much like what happened to me.

I kept searching for God's truth.

I called it ultimate truth.

But what was it?

I wanted to zero in on it.

How could I find it?

God was pretty silent about some things.

He let me find my way around Him.

If the Bible could blink, as I wove my way through endless books at the thrift shop, He would have.

If He could laugh, He'd be roaring His heart out.

He was right under my nose, and I didn't even realize it.

I kept searching elsewhere.

But God respected my ways, even as it took a long time for me to realize the Bible contained ALL the answers I needed.

Sure, I'd pray to God for my needs, and questions.

And yes, He'd answer in a way I would understand.

Still, there was no governing power, for I had not given Him my heart, in full.

I had not been ready for His Word.

As a writer, journalist, curious child, trained in Architecture, God knew I was wired, and coded, for precision.

Would He have let me approach His Word, without all that essential training?

So, He let me make mistakes.

He knew I'd get up again, and find a better way.

Until one day, I couldn't find a better way, and finally surrendered to Him.

Exactly what He was waiting for.

After that, everything became easy.

The Holy Spirit started instructing me.

Non stop, for 17 months now.

I was led to important videos, teachings, and verses about the Word of God, from many various sources, only chosen by God.

And my heart gratefully absorbed all that.

Each day became magnificent!

The Bible was opening His (for it's God's) heart to me, showing me, teaching me, delighting me, and I was like a happy child, astounded at all the treasures I came upon.

That's how it is when you give your heart to the Lord.

He gives you the Holy Spirit.

Scripture becomes clear.

You begin to understand God's ways.

You love obeying God's will.

If anything, studying the Bible, means searching for His commands.

Questions, and prayers, are answered -- before you're even done asking, or praying.

Every day you wake up is a joy, a day to look forward to.

Now I know why the prophets don't bother with their looks.

God matters more.

You do not have room for vanity, only God.

You're like a heat-seeking missile, only focused on the fire of the Lord.

Unless you've become born again, you will not understand what I'm saying.

Scripture becomes your whole life.

The Word of God is the only thing that can fill your heart, right your wrongs, direct your path.

You cannot have enough of it, for Jesus is Living Water, the Bread of Life.

Only a thirsty, and hungry soul, can comprehend that.

When you've found Jesus, you will certainly be a changed man.

He will create a new heart in you.

Ezekiel 36:26 (KJV)

26 A new heart also will I give you, 

and a new spirit will I put within you: 

and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, 

and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Consider being born again the most delicious path back to God.

Now, everything I learn, is rooted firmly in Christ.

He is my heart, and my foundation.

He has a purpose for me, and I let the Lord lead the way.

It's always back to God anyway.

Again, my question is:

"How can you not want to become born again?"

Updated 25 January 2022