Born Again : Meditation John chapter 3:1-8 ; Part 2

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.
John:3:3

What does it mean to be born again?
The WORD born again is meant as ' born from above.'
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John:1:12
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John:1:13

The WORD of GOD says, if we believe in the name of CHRIST and receive him, God gives us the power to become the SONS of God.
We are not born because of the will of man, or of blood, nor by the will of man but by God himself.

If we are in Christ we are a new creature.  Old things have passed away. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are made new.

As I am being led in the spirit I would like to explain the whole plan of God's redemption.
After Adam sinned against God, we as humans have fallen short of God's glory as it is written,

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Genesis:6:5

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans:3:23

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Romans:3:10

There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Romans:3:11

They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Romans:3:12

We have fallen short of the GLORY of GOD.  If we say that we do not have sin, we are liars.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John:1:10

This explains us our need to be cleansed and forgiven of all our sins as we cannot even see the kingdom of God with our Adamic nature in us. (V3)

To take victory over this nature of Adam was Christ born as a man, to die on the cross for our sins, that through this gospel of CHRIST we can be born again in our  Spirit man.

So how are we to be born again?
We are born again by the word of God being the seed
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1 Peter:1:23,
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1 Peter:1:25

What happens when we are born again?
1. Stage 1: the seed of the Gospel enters our heart. 1peter 1:23

2. Stage 2: we receive Christ by believing that he paid the price for our sins on the cross and we are redeemed from our sins by his BLOOD.  John 1:12

3. Stage 3:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians:2:8
This stage is purely God's work. He creates that new birth in our spirit.

 How do we know that we are born again?
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Romans:8:16
The Holy Spirit of God speaks in our hearts and confirms that we are children of God. ( Born again)

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Romans:15:13

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Romans:5:11
The joy and peace that God gives in our heart is the confirmation that we are born again.

This is something happening deep in the spirit that a natural man with a human mind cannot comprehend unless being experienced individually.
This is why Nicodemus was not able to completely comprehend what Christ was speaking about being born again. (V4)

And this is what Jesus refers to be born of water and of the spirit.
Water being the word of God.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Ephesians:5:26
Spirit being the work of the Holy Spirit in the Human Spirit.

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians:1:13

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians:1:14
In other words we are born and sealed as children of God by the Holy Spirit.

So, what are we to do once we are saved?

1. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1 Peter:2:2
So we are to desire the word of God as new born babes to grow to be mature sons and daughters of God..

2. We have to work out our salvation with fear each day.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Philippians:2:12

3. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans:12:2

We have to be transformed according to working of the holy spirit in us... each day as he renews our mind  according to the word.

You can know more about the redemption of mankind and the prize of salvation in the links attached....

Isn't it a glorious experience to be born again? May God reveal you more . GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Signs, wonders and Miracles. Meditation John chapter 2:18-25

1. The Jews then asked for signs for what Jesus did. (V18)
2. Jesus said if this temple is destroyed , he will raise it up in three days, referring to his own body. (V19,21,22)
3. But the Jews could not understand that moment as they were wondering how, as it took forty six years to build the temple. ( v20)
4. Many believed on Jesus seeking his miracles (v23)
5. Jesus never commited himself to any man... as he knew the very thoughts of men what they are. (V24,25)

Life Application:
1.Signs and wonders:
Signs and wonders are a great way God interacts with us. The WORD of GOD says

And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
Acts:2:19

Truely our God speaks with signs, wonders and miracles.
And the LORD showed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes:
Deuteronomy:6:22

To the heathens God demonstrates his power through signs and miracles.

But, if we are among those asking for signs out of unbelief as the saducees,
God cannot speak to us clear to our understanding. Then he speaks to us in parables.

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Matthew:16:4

Here I would like to give a cross reference, to explain (v 19, 21,22) better.
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
Matthew:12:39
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Matthew:12:40

This is the same sign that CHRIST refers regarding destroying the temple.

Jesus puts the same sign in another way...in V19
He refers that the temple of God, that is, his own body will be destroyed and he will be in the heart of the earth day and night for three days and nights as was Jonas and he will be resurrected on the third day. He was prophesying about his own death, burial and  resurrection as a sign for the Jews.

2.What is the sign that is given for believers today?

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
1 Corinthians:14:22

The gift of prophesy is given as a sign for believers that we can tap into the mind of God. As the Holy Spirit is given to US in our hearts, God interacts with us through prophesies.

 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
1 Corinthians:1:22

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1 Corinthians:1:23

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians:1:24

For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Revelation:19:10
Let us seek to testify about Christ more as this is the Spirit of prophesy.  A sign given to believers.

If we can believe, God will make us for signs and wonders as it is written in,
Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.
Isaiah:8:18

Not only that, if we can believe God will do signs and wonders for his glory as the word of God says in,

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mark:16:17

3. Our very thoughts and hearts are not hidden from God. That is why, Christ knew what was in a man and never commited himself to them. V25.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
Psalm:103:14
Psalms 139:2

I completely agree to pas. Benny Hinn on this message of CHRIST as the temple of God. Kindly hear for more edification.

Dearly beloved,
Let us ponder on these words. Let God reveal to us more. Amen.

A NEW REVELATION OF CHRIST : Meditation John 1:43-51

1. Jesus the next day goes forth into Galilee and meets Philip and calls him to FOLLOW him. (V43)
2. Philip was of the same place as that of Andrew and Peter. (V44)
3. Philip meets Nathanael and says that they have met the person  whom Moses and Prophets have spoken spoken about and that, it is none but JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth. (V45)
4. The first impression of Nathaniel about Christ is that NO GOOD can come from Nazareth as it is a humble place. But Philip encourages him to come and see. (V46)
5. When Christ sees Nathanael, he look straight into his heart and tells that he is a person without guile. (V47)
6. Still Nathanael was not convinced and asked Christ when he knew him. Then, Christ said, his eyes saw Nathanael even when he was under the fig tree talking to Philip. (V48)
7. Then Nathanael believes and glorifies Christ as the SON of God and the King of Israel.
(V49)
8. Jesus said... that they will see greater things from then on, than the prophesy they heard. (V50)
9. He also said that from then on, their eyes will be opened to see angels ascending and descending from the son of Man, thus inviting him into the deeper waters. (V51)

Life Application:
1. Jesus called Philip to follow him.
What does it mean to follow Jesus?
Following Jesus is hearing to the shepherd's  voice and following him.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
John:10:4

What do we get following Jesus?
A. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew:4:19
If we follow Christ he will make us fishers of men.

B.  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
John:12:26
We will be in the place where Christ will be.
As it is given in the verse below,
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians:2:6
We are seated in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus.

C. What does it take to follow Christ?
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Matthew:16:24

Life Application 2:
1. Every person who met Jesus had a new revelation about Christ.  It was revealed to Philip that CHRIST was the one that Moses and the Prophets spoke about and he is the fulfilment of the Law. We can also comprehend  that any person who had an encounter with Christ could not stop but talk about him to others.
2. The initial  perception  about Christ for each individual varies greatly till we come and see Christ personally, to have an encounter with him.

Life Application 3:
1. When we come to CHRIST everything hidden has to open up to the light of Christ. ( 47-49)
2. He knows who we are inside out (v47). He knows our physical presence. (V48). He knows our notions and motives as it is written in

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Psalm:139:2

What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?
Job:7:17
And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?
Job:7:18

God sets his heart upon us. He visits us every morning.  He looks deep into our hearts if we really love him. He tries us every moment. Truely, he knows us and he cares for us.

3. He knows us more intimately than anyone else.

But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.
Isaiah:49:14
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Isaiah:49:15
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
Isaiah:49:16
I believe this is the intimacy that Nathanael felt with Christ.

4. Again, another revelation to the person with a personal relationship with God. God revealed himself to Nathanael as the King of Israel. (V49)

5. Jesus calls them to much deeper waters. He speaks about their spiritual eyes being opened to see things of heaven.

What is angels ascending and descending from the SON of man?
Let us turn our bibles to Genesis 28:12,17;

And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Genesis:28:12.
And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
Genesis:28:17
(If you are interested you can read the whole chapter to know more)

God reveals to me here as CHRIST being the GATE OF HEAVEN and the HOUSE OF GOD.

Hallelujah! Let the name of the LORD be glorified.

I pray that the spirit of God will minister unto you in a new way and Christ will reveal himself to you in a way that you have never seen before.

To GOD BE THE GLORY. Amen.