SAVED from ignorance

 

Ephesians 4:17-19

King James Version

17 This I say therefore, 

and testify in the Lord,

 that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, 

in the vanity of their mind,

18 Having the understanding darkened, 

being alienated from the life of God 

through the ignorance that is in them, 

because of the blindness of their heart:

19 Who being past feeling 

have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, 

to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Those verses pretty much sum up my old life.

Of living in sin.

Because I lived in ignorance.

In ignorance, you don't know GOD's laws.

In ignorance, you have no idea what awaits you.

Eternal fire.

Eternal darkness.

Eternal damnation.

But I thank the LORD, who took pity upon my soul.

Surely, He saw my daily efforts.

Of searching for ultimate knowledge.

Even if I didn't know it was Him I sought.

Surely, He saw my daily struggles.

Of trying to get things right.

Even when I was often wrong.

All those hits and misses.

Following clues, prompts, dreams.

Only because I didn't know His laws yet.

But it seems there's an inner angel that guided me.

And protected me.

Most of all, from myself.

And all my erring ways of thought, word, and deed.

Ah, but when GOD made me born again, what a difference it made!

It was instant transformation!

It was instant hunger for His WORD.

It was instant hunger for His TRUTH.

His SPIRIT led me to Scripture right away.

Starting with the WORDS of JESUS from His apostles.

Then I was led back to the beginning. 

As it ought to be.

GENESIS.

After which, lots of reading, and studies, in between.

Resulting in 79 blogs, and 24 ebooks.

Ignorance causes one to sin.

How can you live right, when you don't know GOD's laws?

How can you think, speak, and act right, when you have no idea His commands?

GOD knew I wanted to get things right.

But first, He humbled me greatly.

And caused me to review self.

What was I doing wrong?

Why did I keep failing?

What was I not seeing?

Why were all my efforts at earning being "blocked"?

Sure, GOD gave me opportunities to earn -- His way.

But most of the time, things I used to succeed in, didn't work anymore.

The day He made me born again was the day all became clear.

I automatically did a 180-degree turn from my old life.

I just wanted to get GOD's laws right.

I wasn't focused on money anymore.

So He sent His SPIRIT to teach me.

Every day was packed with verses.

And lessons.

Which created the articles.

And the numerous blogs.

There's no slowing down.

Even after nearly 42 months.

Just when I thought we had enough blogs, nope, more were created.

That's how it is to work with the HOLY SPIRIT. 

He fires you up.

You become tireless.

You hunger for GOD's truth.

You begin to know about JESUS.

You love the search.

You cherish the lessons.

You become grateful for the answers.

To get answers, I merely prayed to JESUS.

Please, what was GOD's will?

That was the prayer He liked best.

What did He want me to do, or be?

What did He want me to do for others?

That was our staging point for any article.

As well as a guide for my own life now.

No one was able to make me born again.

That right was reserved for GOD.

From GOD, by GOD.

For GOD knew I'd be sharing with you.

Night, and day, we did.

We're at our craft, each and every day.

I'm on call every moment.

I cannot work the normal job now.

My heart belongs to the LORD.

I am in His service.

He tells me what needs to be done.

What needs to be written.

What needs to be shared.

Which verse is right on target.

Which verse needs to be explored.

Which verses must be included.

How can I ever go back to working for the world?

I'm in GOD's service now.

There is no pay.

But there is joy, peace, love.

There is excitement at waiting for the lessons.

There is excitement at Scripture discoveries.

There is excitement at sharing with you all I'm learning.

And there is that desire for simplicity.

And precision.

To give you GOD's WORD, as is.

With no sugar coating.

For the WORD stands on its sacred merits.

The moment SPIRIT fires me up, or inspires me, I can't wait to work on the article.

In the simplest way.

Using the simplest words.

Always, in a seamless manner.

All through SPIRIT's workings.

There is no conceit in our work.

GOD's WORD is delivered, as is.

Mercifully, the HOLY SPIRIT makes it easy for me.

He teaches me the meaning of the verses.

Even I am shocked to see how easy it all is.

Perhaps, it's because of my childlike disposition.

A hunger for knowledge.

An eagerness to learn.

An excitement to share.

Complete trust in the LORD.

No ego in the way.

This is what happens when GOD makes you born again.

His WORD becomes clear.

It is not subject to debate.

You know exactly what to think, say, and do.

And it's always aligned with His will.

That's the best part of it all.

The default mode.

To not be at fault.

Philippians 2:15

King James Version

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, 

the sons of God, 

without rebuke, 

in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, 

among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

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TOTAL dependence on GOD

 

Psalm 23:1-3

King James Version

23 The Lord is my shepherd; 

I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: 

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: 

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness 

for his name's sake.

Do you believe in GOD?

How dependent are you on Him?

Have you given up your will, for His will?

Does it give you great joy to do so?

I hope you're all of the above.

I was Catholic once.

Then I looked into new age.

Until GOD made me born again.

This much I can say, with all of my heart:

Being born again is the answer to all my questions.

For I searched, long and hard, for ultimate answers.

Knowing the WORD of GOD satisfies my soul.

It clarifies everything for me.

Where before, I'd look into my heart, or research what's out there, I found that the Bible holds everything I need to know.

Through the HOLY SPIRIT, things were made clear.

SPIRIT led me to Scripture, and made things easy for me to understand.

Every time I'd have a question, I'd pray to JESUS, and He'd have His SPIRIT lead me to Scripture for an answer.

Knowing about GOD's laws takes fear out of your heart.

You begin to trust, and have total dependence on the LORD.

Once you are born again, and live by the Bible, there is even no question about having TOTAL dependence on GOD.

It becomes a given, a joy, a delight.

Something to look forward to.

Something to share with others.

For when you are joyful, how can you not share what you know?

How can you withhold from others the love GOD feels for us?

How can you not encourage everyone to depend on the LORD alone?

How can you not reassure them that TOTAL dependence on GOD is the only thing there is?

And that the LORD delights in our obedience.

Psalm 147:11

King James Version

11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, 

in those that hope in his mercy.

That He is pleased by our faith.

Hebrews 11:6

King James Version

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: 

for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, 

and that he is a rewarder of them 

that diligently seek him.

That He delights in a grateful heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

King James Version

18 In every thing give thanks: 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus 

concerning you.

Lastly, why depend TOTALLY on GOD?

Here's why:

Psalm 127:1

King James Version

127 Except the Lord build the house, 

they labour in vain that build it: 

except the Lord keep the city, 

the watchman waketh but in vain.

Proverbs 19:21

King James Version

21 There are many devices in a man's heart; 

nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, 

that shall stand.

John 15:5

King James Version

5 I am the vine, 

ye are the branches: 

He that abideth in me, and I in him, 

the same bringeth forth much fruit: 

for without me ye can do nothing.

Acts 4:12

King James Version

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: 

for there is none other name under heaven 

given among men, 

whereby we must be saved.

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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?

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:

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Updated 3 May 2023

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

The LORD JESUS on PRAYER

 

JESUS said:

John 15:7 

King James Version

7 If ye abide in me, 

and my words abide in you, 

ye shall ask what ye will, 

and it shall be done unto you.

What did the LORD JESUS say, about prayer?

Let's hear from the FOUR apostles who documented the WORDS of JESUS:

Mark 11:24 (KJV)

24 Therefore I say unto you, 

What things soever ye desire, 

when ye pray, 

believe that ye receive them, 

and ye shall have them.

John 14:13-14 (KJV)

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, 

that will I do, 

that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, 

I will do it.

Matthew 21:21-22 (KJV)

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, 

Verily I say unto you, 

If ye have faith, 

and doubt not, 

ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, 

but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, 

Be thou removed, 

and be thou cast into the sea; 

it shall be done.

22 And all things, 

whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, 

believing, 

ye shall receive.

Luke 11:9 (KJV)

9 And I say unto you, 

Ask, and it shall be given you; 

seek, and ye shall find; 

knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Here are the LORD's admonitions about the kind of praying we do:

Matthew 6:5-6 (KJV)

5 And when thou prayest, 

thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: 

for they love to pray standing in the synagogues 

and in the corners of the streets, 

that they may be seen of men. 

Verily I say unto you, 

They have their reward.

6 But thou, 

when thou prayest, 

enter into thy closet, 

and when thou hast shut thy door, 

pray to thy Father which is in secret; 

and thy Father which seeth in secret 

shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:7-8 (KJV)

7 But when ye pray, 

use not vain repetitions, 

as the heathen do: 

for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: 

for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, 

before ye ask him.

And here's the PRAYER Jesus asked us to pray:

Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: 

Our Father which art in heaven, 

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, 

Thy will be done in earth, 

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, 

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from evil: 

For thine is the kingdom, 

and the power, 

and the glory, 

for ever. 

Amen.

As always, I THANK the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, who led me to these verses, easily.

Things are really simple with the LORD.

Let's not complicate it.

Bible DISCOVERY 19: The PARADOX of PRAYER

Updated 25 January 2022

PRAY as a CHILD would

 

Matthew 6:7-8 

King James Version

7 But when ye pray, 

use not vain repetitions, 

as the heathen do: 

for they think that they shall be heard 

 their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: 

for your Father knoweth 

what things ye have need of, 

before ye ask him.

Pray as a child would, in all simplicity, and sincerity.

There is usually no guile in a very young child.

There is even no fear, until they are caused to fear.

There is only trust, joy, confidence, excitement.

They also seem to have an instant connection with God.

Maybe that's why JESUS loves them so!

Matthew 19:14 

King James Version

14 But Jesus said, 

Suffer little children, 

and forbid them not, to come unto me: 

for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Children speak from their heart.

They speak of what they want.

They speak in their own words.

They don't put brakes on their thoughts.

If not intimidated, they just spell it out, and have it out.

They're direct with their questions.

God delights in their "rawness".

A lot of their questions sometimes befuddle us.

And we think to ourselves, "Why didn't I think of that before?"

Their simple thinking delights the LORD.

There is no hypocrisy in children.

They don't know that word.

Much less spell it.

That's how GOD wants us to approach Him in prayer.

To be like trusting, little children, baring our souls to GOD, and expecting a favored response.

Fortunately , before GOD made me born again, I approached Him as a child would -- happy and trusting.

I've always been child-like anyway.

After I became born again, getting to know His WORD now, the happier, and more trusting I got.

My excitement at my many discoveries from the BIBLE is BEYOND description.

Now, I finally know JESUS answers prayers in His OWN PERFECT WAY.

It might not be what we want, but what do we really know?

We do not have the HEART and MIND of GOD, who knows all, sees all, for He is CREATOR of ALL.

The perfect prayer is actually just letting GOD have His will for us.

In the next post, I will share what the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD led me to concerning JESUS, and prayer.

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Updated 28 September 2023