As I continue to think about the New Year and all the hopes and dreams I have concerning 2012, I take the time to do a little fantasizing. Imagine if some of my friends did become Christians, and really hungered for Him. Would that be too cool or what! I think if 2012 would be a "wish come true", that would be it....seeing some of those around me giving their hearts to Christ and wanting to follow Him.
In John 3:7 Jesus makes this statement: "Do not be surprised when I say this, you must be born again." (Living Trans.)
Jesus was talking to Nicodemus, and he makes it clear what he as well as all of us are to do. It's in a command form of the Greek language...there are no "if's, ands, or but's" about it. We must be born again.
The word surprise can be rendered marvel, something totally unusual, to be astounded, or even shocked. It's usually in a positive sense and denotes "something to wonderful to even be true."
Then, the word "you" is in plural...meaning "all of you" in the Greek grammar.
The other phrase, "born again" is defined as "born from above. So, you could quite possibly look at it this way..." Don't be shocked, or find this totally unusual or strange, nor be astounded or consider it it an absolute marvel, and don't think of this as too good to be true, for I tell you this: Everyone of you must be born from above."
Jesus actually goes into great lengths on this to Nicodemus and carries this theme throughout John...we must be born from above, or it is of absloute neccessity we be born again.
Peter, in his letter in 1 Peter 1:3 says this: " All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we are born again, because God has raised Jesus from the dead. Now, we live with great expectation..."
We are all needing to be reborn, and the only way we can is through the grace and power of Jesus Christ.
This is the first step (of faith) we all must make and bringing God into our lives and developing a confidence that we are at peace with our Maker...by the total and complete acceptance of Christ Jesus and His work He did by dieing on the Cross for all of us.
Now, the Father steps in and raises Christ from the power of death, and because of Christ being raised, we too will be raised to a new eternal order God has designed.
We have all heard of the "New World Order" which seems to be knocking at the door step...well God already had a plan for us..the "New Eternal Order" given to us through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.
So, again as 2012 approaches, the preparation of our friends, loved ones, and those around us by the power of the Holy Spirit is for this "magical moment"...to be born again!
How do you become born again?...I would say this: if you are really at a point where you know you need to do this...then just ask Him...that is what Nicodemus did...and believe me, you'll get directions and an answer on what you must do next!
Honestly, what would you do if, or should I say when people (driven by the Holy Spirit by the power of prayer) comes to you and asks, "Ok, what must I do to invite God onto my life?
I don't know about you...but I would have a hard time not to marvel...or be astounded...or believing it was too good to be true...I would be a little "raved up"!
Oh man...would I be pumped!!
In John 3:7 Jesus makes this statement: "Do not be surprised when I say this, you must be born again." (Living Trans.)
Jesus was talking to Nicodemus, and he makes it clear what he as well as all of us are to do. It's in a command form of the Greek language...there are no "if's, ands, or but's" about it. We must be born again.
The word surprise can be rendered marvel, something totally unusual, to be astounded, or even shocked. It's usually in a positive sense and denotes "something to wonderful to even be true."
Then, the word "you" is in plural...meaning "all of you" in the Greek grammar.
The other phrase, "born again" is defined as "born from above. So, you could quite possibly look at it this way..." Don't be shocked, or find this totally unusual or strange, nor be astounded or consider it it an absolute marvel, and don't think of this as too good to be true, for I tell you this: Everyone of you must be born from above."
Jesus actually goes into great lengths on this to Nicodemus and carries this theme throughout John...we must be born from above, or it is of absloute neccessity we be born again.
Peter, in his letter in 1 Peter 1:3 says this: " All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we are born again, because God has raised Jesus from the dead. Now, we live with great expectation..."
We are all needing to be reborn, and the only way we can is through the grace and power of Jesus Christ.
This is the first step (of faith) we all must make and bringing God into our lives and developing a confidence that we are at peace with our Maker...by the total and complete acceptance of Christ Jesus and His work He did by dieing on the Cross for all of us.
Now, the Father steps in and raises Christ from the power of death, and because of Christ being raised, we too will be raised to a new eternal order God has designed.
We have all heard of the "New World Order" which seems to be knocking at the door step...well God already had a plan for us..the "New Eternal Order" given to us through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.
So, again as 2012 approaches, the preparation of our friends, loved ones, and those around us by the power of the Holy Spirit is for this "magical moment"...to be born again!
How do you become born again?...I would say this: if you are really at a point where you know you need to do this...then just ask Him...that is what Nicodemus did...and believe me, you'll get directions and an answer on what you must do next!
Honestly, what would you do if, or should I say when people (driven by the Holy Spirit by the power of prayer) comes to you and asks, "Ok, what must I do to invite God onto my life?
I don't know about you...but I would have a hard time not to marvel...or be astounded...or believing it was too good to be true...I would be a little "raved up"!
Oh man...would I be pumped!!
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