Born Again Christians Thread-No Bashing please

[bytheblood]

The other Max Lucado book I was thinking of was He Still Moves Stones


I really like some of Kay Arthurs books also, she has an excellent one called To Know You By Name (I think) which goes through the names of God and there meanings like Jehovah Jirah, Elohim, Emmanuel. This is one of my favorite books, I go back to it time and time again. Another of hers that I really like is As Silver Refined.

Also like many of Erwin Lutzer's material.

Other than the Left Behind series I haven't read a lot of fiction books.

Also like to read about great warriors of the faith like John Wycliffe, William Tyndale and great missionaries like DL Moody, etc.

Some of my most recent readings have been "Shepherding a Child's Heart" "Aaron's Way" and "The Power of a Praying Parent".

I love the Left Behind series. I would love to read To Know You by Name. One of my favorite Names for God is Adonai. Simply, Lord. I love the song, Praise Adonai. The lyrics are beautiful.

Who is like Him
the Lion and the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Mountains bow down
Every ocean roars
To the Lord of hosts

Praise Adonai
From the rising of the sun
'Til the end of every day
Praise Adonai
All the nations of the earth
All the angels and the saints
Sing praise

 

[bytheblood]

i remember when i became a christian at age 22 my athesist boyfriend at the time sneared at me saying in 10 years he'll be much happier then me living some 'uptight' existence as a christian. ( we broke up) but nothing could be futher then the TRUTH. the only regret that i have is that i didn't surrender my life to God much earlier. how much heartache i could have avoided if i had put God first as a girl.
at 36, i'm married to a very kind caring man with 2 children. walking around some place like disney and staying at a resort with them i know in my heart this is all a blessing from God. the peace i feel now is something that was nonexistence as a non believer. i don't know what became of that snearing ex boyfriend but i had trusted the Lord to work in his life as well.

Amen Sister.

 

[bytheblood]

I agree you can't tell by one verse what it means to be born again, which is why I suggest reading the entire book of John to get the full picture.

It doesn't mean that anyone who believes in God will be granted everlasting life....eternal life is given through God's son Jesus. Jesus is the "Him" referred to in many of the scriptures you quoted above, not God the Father. It's not enough to just believe in God the father...you need to believe the entire picture...Jesus too.

I agree that salvation is not reserved for people who call themselves "born again"...I believe that there are Methodists, Wesleyans, etc...who have become "born again" through their faith in Jesus.

Well said Joy. Believing is not merely a thought. The context is not only to believe in, but to believe upon. Even Satan believes in Jesus, but he will not spend eternity in Heaven.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Joy, and Bytheblood, I agree!!!!

Not everyone who calls 'Lord,.. Lord' will be saved...

That is the 'Born Again' part.



And, to Rick, if the people who are doing good works are not believers, then they certainly are not concerned with salvation or the afterlife.... It also occurs to me that they could be putting their pride in their works above their need for God and Salvation. "Not by works lest any man should boast" As other posters have said.... What works would be enough??? How pure would be pure enough??? This all relegates salvation right back down to our own limited and flawed human views.

It is when we come to the true realization, like the poster who was saved as a young new mother, that we need God, that we are merely human, that nothing that we could ever do would be enough.... When he hit that very humble state, and accept the wonderous gift of God... When we realize that everything that we do and think is worthless and pales before the glory of God... That God truly is 'right'. When we come to thank Him and worship Him as our creator, and desire to put ourselves behind, to follow Him... THAT is what it means to be Born Again... This is what the Christian ideology of salvation is all about.

 

[Albertan mom]

Joy, and Bytheblood, I agree!!!!

It is when we come to the true realization, like the poster who was saved as a young new mother, that we need God, that we are merely human, that nothing that we could ever do would be enough.... When he hit that very humble state, and accept the wonderous gift of God... When we realize that everything that we do and think is worthless and pales before the glory of God... That God truly is 'right'. When we come to thank Him and worship Him as our creator, and desire to put ourselves behind, to follow Him... THAT is what it means to be Born Again... This is what the Christian ideology of salvation is all about.

As that new mother, reading your post made me choked up again....(sniff, sniff)

And thankful again, that even though I turned on Him, when I realized just how much I did need Him, He was there, waiting for me with open arms. And just how I was so thankful to have my daughter, I feel that God was happy to have His daughter back!

So appreciating this site....thank you everyone for being an encouragement and support system.

 

[Aidensmom]

I look back on my life and remember always believing in Jesus...that doesn't mean I didn't have a "saved" moment, I did, I just don't remember...that is likely what happens to alot of people who are raised in a christian home...as opposed to people who are saved at an older age, these people may not have gone to church ever or were raised atheist...whatever...they would have a definite moment that they remember and can pinpoint.

This is a good point. I think there are also people that were raised in a Christian home that go to church, read the bible, do good works, etc. all their lives but don't actually really accept that Jesus' death on the cross is the only way to salvation until they are adults. These people may have a "moment", and that may be why there seem to be a lot of Christians who then become "born again", because though they lived as a Christian, they really hadn't accepted what it meant yet. Does that make sense? This is more of what happened to me.

 

[JoyG]

I think there are also people that were raised in a Christian home that go to church, read the bible, do good works, etc. all their lives but don't actually really accept that Jesus' death on the cross is the only way to salvation until they are adults. These people may have a "moment", and that may be why there seem to be a lot of Christians who then become "born again", because though they lived as a Christian, they really hadn't accepted what it meant yet. Does that make sense? This is more of what happened to me.

I agree with that too. So within the group of people who were raised in the christian faith, we could be talking about two types of people here...people who had the moment at a young age and don't remember the actual day or people who never had the moment yet, never really understood the whole picture...whatever.

My advice is if someone reading this thread is not sure about it, they should err on the side of caution and have the moment again! Sit down and make a point of spelling it out to Jesus, what you believe about him, asking him to come into your life to guide your decisions, give you eternal life...then find a good church and attend regularly.

Joy

 

[Albertan mom]

My advice is if someone reading this thread is not sure about it, they should err on the side of caution and have the moment again! Sit down and make a point of spelling it out to Jesus, what you believe about him, asking him to come into your life to guide your decisions, give you eternal life...then find a good church and attend regularly.

Joy

I agree. You can never tell God that you need him too many times!!!

 

[luvthatduke]

Wow, as a good friend frequently says,
"This is blessing my socks off!"
God is so good - this thread is great
and I am so enjoying the discussion.

Can't say enough good things about the
gift God has given us in Max Lucado!
www.Crosswalk.com has a link where you can
sign up for his emails called "Upwords."
Frank Peretti is amazing, I've read all of his novels,
and had my first one given to me by a youth group
I was leading at the beach for a week.
Talk about being totally out of my element!
The Lord used those teens to teach me, you'd better believe it!

Rick, I really appreciate your comments,
and would like to add just one more thing to your "works" question:
Others have asked, "When is 'good' good enough?"
and I agree that it's a valid question needing to be asked.
However, I would offer to you the suggestion that
the 'good' actions of the few should really be
the expected actions of the human race.
How much better would everyone's life be if we,
every single one of us - Christian, Jew, Hindu, Muslim, Shintoist, Atheist, etc.,
just how much better would it be if we all acted
in a loving, sacrficial manner?
I am a volunteer, and I see that this world sorely lacks
not a cookie cutter version of myself, or yourself,
but it lacks a generation raised to sacrifice,
raised to give, and give back more than they received.
Not saying there aren't loving, sacrificial people of all ages
currently giving their time, energy and $$,
but simply stating that it seems to me if everyone did
what you describe as witnessing in your city
how much better would we all be?

I absolutely believe there are loving, beautiful people
all around, but I also believe that unless they accept
Jesus Christ their works will only be remembered here.
And tell me, just how long are most folks remembered?

 

[Albertan mom]

I absolutely believe there are loving, beautiful people
all around, but I also believe that unless they accept
Jesus Christ their works will only be remembered here.
And tell me, just how long are most folks remembered?

I totally agree. You have such a way with words duke!

 

[luvthatduke]

Thanks!
But I'm actually Duke's Mommy - LOL
Blessings!

 

[Albertan mom]

Noticed that was your 1000th post Dukes mommy!!
Congrats!

 

[luvthatduke]

Hey, whaddya know??
Thanks for noticing!

 

[huckster]

been away a long time from boards.. glad to see this sight.
i had back surgery many years ago and when i was at my lowest point money and spirt about to lose all , my sis called and said if He would take care of the birds would He not take care of you , i picked up the Bible and read and wept and praised God found a church and accepted Jesus as my Lord , He has taken me thru many a trial that i would of never made it thru with out Him carrying me.. i have let go of my son 20 a herion addict 6 days ago thru 3 years of trying to fix it myself, , my son is in Gods hand and He has given my son an open door and my son has taken it, he packed only his cloths and quit his job , detoxed and moved to Colorado with my sis,panic lives in my heart everyday and i pray for Jesus to take away the fear, please say a prayer for my son. My sons ex stole my identity and i had to clear this up , i am so afraid she will come and get me ..
and thankyou for this site.
God bless all

 

[live4christp1]

Huckster,

Thanks so much for sharing your testimony. Will be praying for you and your son.

 

[Aidensmom]

huckster - I am sorry for the trials you are going through, and am praying for God to give you and your son strength and comfort.

 

[saucymb]

Huckster- God is powerful and I know he will provide the grace you need during your rough times. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those that are called according to His purpose." I'll remember you in prayer.

 

[JoyG]

panic lives in my heart everyday and i pray for Jesus to take away the fear

Oh huckster, I feel for you on this one!! I think some people's personalities are such that they struggle with this one more so than others. I joke that I come from a long line of worriers, my grandma, mom and me! I know that worry is a sin but it's one that I struggle with everyday! My 4 year old son had open heart surgery a month ago and I've recently had my own health scare...everything turned out ok for both of us but here is a verse I was clinging to this spring (literally):

II Tim 1: 7: For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and a sound mind.

The last part always makes me smile b/c when I'm in the midst of a panic or worry attack that's exactly what I DON'T have; a sound mind!

The other favorite passage of mine when I'm worried is Philippians 4:12-13 (which I posted at the beginning of this thread)....I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation...I can do everything through him that gives me strength...

I'll be praying for you!

Joy

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Huckster~ I am praying for you and your son!

JoyG~ I will also pray for your son's continued recovery and that all goes well with him from here on out.

My brother is currently at the hospital in Memphis having a cochlear implant done as I type. Will you all please pray that all goes well with it and it is successful so that he may one day soon hear again? Thanks!

 

[live4christp1]

Huckster~ I am praying for you and your son!

JoyG~ I will also pray for your son's continued recovery and that all goes well with him from here on out.

My brother is currently at the hospital in Memphis having a cochlear implant done as I type. Will you all please pray that all goes well with it and it is successful so that he may one day soon hear again? Thanks!

Prayer for your brother and for the surgeries success.