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
