| I have a friend
who had accepted Jesus. This friend recently told
me that she "is no longer interested in
Christianity." She finds that Eastern
Religions make more sense and they are not
saturated with materialistic hypocrites. I had
warned her not to place any trust in organized
religions.. I told her not to look to church
members to be representative of the true Jesus,
because they attend. I warned her repeatedly that
they could turn her against the "true"
Jesus. Many of the man-made doctrines which are
taught in these "clubs" with 501 (C)
(3) status, could cause her to fail. She recently
told me that all those things had happened. This is not rare, nor is
it hard to understand. On this page I will
discuss a few truths that are not understood or
taught. They are important facts. Facts that are
supported in scripture but hidden from seekers of
salvation and those who truly want a personal
relationship with God.
The facts below
apply if you have not
had a divine encounter. All of these facts do
not apply if God and His Son
have sparked the "New Creature"
experience. When that happens, the facts below
are modified or even suspended. This
"experience" is what you are praying to
acquire. There is no way I can know
"when" or the conditions that will
bring you to the TRUE BORN AGAIN STATUS... This
"experience" is what you are seeking!
When this happens, you will be a different
person! Your life will be changed, if you allow
it... however, If you fight it, resist or cling
to the "world," you will not complete
the transition. A terrible mistake and the
opportunity may never return.
Truth #1... Generally speaking: If you can immediately
understand the doctrine it is probably man-made.
To think that you can understand and relate to
the Creator of the universe with no more than
your mortal mind and limited experience is naive.
The Kingdom of God is spiritual and those things
require "spirituality" which is made
available through the Holy Spirit of God, sent by
His Son Jesus. Learning, study, prayer and
patience is usually
required. The "saved" or
"born-again" experience will come if
you are sincere and keep on asking and keep on
praying. For some it is right away and others
require more of "something." Is it more
study? Is it more prayer? Be patient and don't
rush into acceptance of a belief system because
others do. I qualified this as "generally
speaking" because it can
be immediate.
Truth #2... Very few, if any,
"Sunday-Morning-Christians" can do more
than repeat what they have memorized or a
slap-stick version which has evolved through
their humanistic thinking. "Sunday Morning
Christian" is the way I refer to people who
attend church and never go beyond the typical
(spiritual) level of membership. These SMC's buy
books, tapes and other "trinkets." They
are amazed at the writings and teachings of
authors and showmen who preach for cash. It is
never ending! They are continually looking for
"signs" that will confirm
"that" which they want to believe but
they have not (yet) been truly anointed by the
Holy Spirit of God. At this point they are still
seeking. These SMC's are not the kind of sponsor
or "tour guide" you want to lead you
into the chambers of the "Most High."
They are in need of help, themselves.
Truth #3... Barring a miracle, which
can happen, If you want a true relationship with
God, study is required.. HOLD IT! Let me explain;
you can achieve complete salvation and admittance
into the Kingdom in a brief instant without any
work or study. I am speaking of the normal
transistion... prayer is required..
"Prayerful Study." Jesus tells us that
we must work hard because "the road is
narrow and few will ever find the path."
However, if a miracle occurs in your life, you
will want
to study.. you will pray.. you will work hard!
WARNING... SMC's will label you as
"radical" or a fanatic, among other
descriptive names. You will not be readily
accepted into their circle. Jesus promises (that
truth) in the scriptures! He even goes so far as
to say, "you will be hated because you
belong to Him." One thing is for sure; they
will feel uncomfortable around you.
Truth #4...
Generally speaking: A true person of God will
never ask you for money or make you feel as
though you should pay for anything to receive
blessings from God.. You may want to
"give" but it will never be asked of
you. A true Servant will teach you tirelessly and
endlessly. A "few" even refuse money!
Truth #5... I don't believe that you
can truly have the "born again,"
"saved" or "begotten"
experience unless you "get into the
spirit." It may be very brief but I believe
that for you to truly reach that level of
spirituality you must be "in the
spirit." It is not of this world! There are
a few ritualistic methods you can use that may
work for you. I describe this method on www.john33.com/miracles.htm. However, I believe it
comes from prayer, study, and... or Jesus
choosing you at any instant! It can happen
because of an encounter or experience. At any
time a miracle from God can happen. A happening
that is unexplainable or.... it can come upon you
in the calm of life. There is no specific method
for achievement. Be ready!
Understand this
please! Be prepared through prayer and study. At
least be trying and be ready. I think that's
really all you can do, the rest is up to Jesus.
Here are a few
excerpts from that page....
"ritualistic" method...
Just a few
months previous my Mother, a devout Christian and
prayer warrior had given me a book. I think
the title was: "PRAISING GOD IN ALL
SITUATIONS." Well, I had a thought:
"I'll put the book to test."
I began doing what the author of that little book
taught. I started praising God and thanking him
for causing the air conditioning to fail, I
praised and thanked him for my fever, I thanked
him for the opportunity to exercise my faith and
continued to give him praise. I explained that I
knew it was for my own good and that something
good and great would come from it all. I kept
repeating my praises and thanking him for every
unfortunate happening in my life as well as all
of the wonderful things in my life. I reasoned
that the overcoming of the unfortunate things in
my life had helped me to know Him. I
began to mean every word.
REMEMBER... AT
FIRST I DID NOT MEAN A WORD OF IT...
However, I
kept on praising him and praying. I kept asking
my prayer be heard in the name of Jesus. Soon I
began to "feel" something happening...
I began to believe that it truly was a blessing!
I began to "get into the spirit" and
within a few minutes I was meaning every word and
my faith began to swell! Now I was thanking him
and meaning every word of it! All of this took
about 15 - 30 minutes (or so)... THEN THE AIR
CONDITIONING CAME ON! It started working as well
as ever and the car cooled down. Soon (I can't
remember if it was immediately or over hours) my
arm was well, my fever left and I felt fine!
As
I wrote, those are excerpts from the page that
explain several miracles in my life. You can read
them at www.john33.com/miracles.htm
Good luck,
John
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