Bible Study - Joshua: A Faith Rooted in GOD'S Word - Joshua 1:1-9, 16-18 - June 16, 2025 (Enjoy and Be Blessed)

 

Bible Study – Joshua: A Faith Rooted in GOD’S Word – Joshua 1:1-9, 16-18 – June 16, 2025

Change of leadership for the Israelites from Moses to Joshua. Why?

Disobedience to GOD’S instructions. Moses and Aaron had led the Israelites for 40 years by following GOD’S instructions.

What happened?

Let’s explore!

When GOD tells us tells something to do and how to do it, HE expects HIS chosen to follow HIS instructions.

Wandering in the desert has many challenges. The need for water is at the top of the list. Years earlier GOD had demonstrated HIS sufficiency to care for the Israelites need for water as written in Exodus 17:1-7.Top of Form

Let’s read Exodus 17:1-7:

Christian Standard Bible

Water from the Rock – The First Time

17 The entire Israelite community left the Wilderness of Sin, moving from one place to the next according to the Lord’s command. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. ² So the people complained to Moses, “Give us water to drink.”

“Why are you complaining to me?” Moses replied to them. “Why are you testing the Lord?”

³ But the people thirsted there for water and grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you ever bring us up from Egypt to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”

⁴ Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? In a little while they will stone me!”

⁵ The Lord answered Moses, “Go on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you. Take the staff you struck the Nile with (you) in your hand and go. ⁶ I am going to stand there in front of you on the rock at Horeb; when you hit the rock, water will come out of it and the people will drink.” Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. ⁷ He named the place Massah^[a] and Meribah^[b] because the Israelites complained, and because they tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

Only GOD can get water from a rock.

Exodus 20:1-17: (This is the Second Time, the Israelites needed water, years later and in a different location.)

Years later, the Israelites were again in the desert as recorded in Exodus 20:1 The entire Israelite community entered the Wilderness of Zin in the first month, and they^[a] settled in Kadesh. Miriam died and was buried there.

² There was no water for the community, so they assembled against Moses and Aaron. ³ The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord. ⁴ Why have you brought the Lord’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? ⁵ Why have you led us up from Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It’s not a place of grain, figs, vines, and pomegranates, and there is no water to drink!”

⁶ Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting. They fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. ⁷ The Lord spoke to Moses, ⁸ “Take the staff and assemble the community. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock (this was a different rock) while they watch, and it will yield its water. You will bring out water for them from the rock and provide drink for the community and their livestock.”

⁹ So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence just as he had commanded him. ¹⁰ Moses and Aaron summoned the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels! Must we bring water out of this rock for you?” ¹¹ Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that abundant water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

Oh, my!!! GOD told them to speak to the rock, not to hit it as Moses had done years earlier. Had the faith of Moses begun to wear thin?

GOD knows our hearts, and HE establishes the boundaries for our service. When we stick with the tried-and-true things that worked before rather than walking in faith as GOD instructs us, GOD knows it is time for HIS chosen to step aside and let a new leader take over.

And GOD did that as we read on----

¹² But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me to demonstrate my holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.” 

It was time for GOD’S Chosen to learn that walking by faith by speaking HIS Word would be multiplied and was as powerful as using a visible stick in one person’s hand. GOD was introducing a new level of faith, speaking GOD’S Word accomplishes GOD’S will and purpose.

What did GOD do for Moses? GOD rebuked him and told him that he would not enter the promised land. However, GOD also had compassion on Moses and GOD took Moses to the top of a mountain to let him see the Promised Land, although Moses would not go into the Promised Land.

Was GOD finished with Moses? NO!!!

We read in Deuteronomy 34:1-12:

Moses’s Death

34 Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which faces Jericho, and the Lord showed him all the land: Gilead as far as Dan, ² all of Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean^[a] Sea, ³ the Negev, and the plain in the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. ⁴ The Lord then said to him, “This is the land I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross into it.”

⁵ So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the Lord’s word. ⁶ He buried him^[b] in the valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peer, and no one to this day knows where his grave is. ⁷ Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not left him. ⁸ The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end.

⁹ Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So, the Israelites obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. ¹⁰ No prophet has arisen again in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. ¹¹ He was unparalleled for all the signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do against the land of Egypt—to Pharaoh, to all his officials, and to all his land— ¹² and for all the mighty acts of power and terrifying deeds that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

Moses died and GOD buried his body, however, we know that GOD had plans for Moses in the confirmation of JESUS regarding the Law on the Mount of Transfiguration.

But Moses was physically dead, or was he?

We read in Matthew 17:1-9:

17 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. ² He (JESUS) was transfigured in front of them, and his face shone like the sun; his clothes became as white as the light. ³ Suddenly, Moses (Representing the Law) and Elijah (Representing, The Prophets) appeared to them, talking with him (JESUS). ⁴ Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good for us to be here. If you want, I will set up^[a] three shelters here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

⁵ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered^[b] them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!” ⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown and were terrified.

⁷ Jesus came up, touched them, and said, “Get up; don’t be afraid.” ⁸ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus alone.

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone about the vision until the Son of Man is raised^[c] from the dead.”

Back to our focus scripture Joshua 1:1-9 and 16-18:

Encouragement of Joshua, GOD’S New Leader for the Israelites.

1 After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’s assistant: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving the Israelites. ³ I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will be from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great river, the Euphrates River—all the land of the Hittites—and west to the Mediterranean Sea. ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or abandon you.

A change of GOD’S leader did not change GOD’S promise or mission.

⁶ “Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their ancestors to give them as an inheritance. ⁷ Above all, be strong and very courageous to observe carefully the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. ⁸ This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on^[a] it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. ⁹ Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua Prepares the People

¹⁰ Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, ¹¹ “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get provisions ready for yourselves, for within three days you will be crossing the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you to inherit.’”

¹² Joshua said to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, ¹³ “Remember what Moses the Lord’s servant commanded you when he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest, and he will give you this land.’ ¹⁴ Your wives, dependents, and livestock may remain in the land Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But your best soldiers must cross over in battle formation^[b] ahead of your brothers and help them ¹⁵ until the Lord gives your brothers rest, as he has given you, and they too possess the land the Lord your God is giving them. You may then return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of what Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on the east side of the Jordan.”

¹⁶ They answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. ¹⁷ We will obey you, just as we obeyed Moses in everything. Certainly, the Lord your God will be with you, as he was with Moses. ¹⁸ Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words in all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!”

The Israelites were confident in the leadership of Moses and now they had confidence in the leadership of Joshua, who would lead them into the Promised Land.

Obedience is vital to all who will be going forward under the banner of GOD and the leadership of Joshua.

Blessings!!!

Extra: I tried to get the timeline between GOD instructing Moses to strike the rock for water the first time and GOD instructing Moses to “speak to the rock” for water years later.

The two events of Exodus 17:1-7 and Numbers 20:1-13 occurred in two different regions and two different times.

Physical water is vital for life upon earth and Spiritual water is vital for human Spiritual development and growth.

As you may recall, JESUS told the woman at the well. In John 4: ¹³ Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. ¹⁴ But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him/her will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him/her will become a well^[f] of water springing up in him/her for eternal life.”

This is a foreshadow of the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell all who are “born-again” through faith in JESUS.

The details of the two events are also different. In the first event, God told Moses to strike the rock with the rod (The Law). In the second event, God told him (Moses) to speak to the rock (Grace).

JESUS fulfilled the law and all who place their faith in JESUS are “born-again” by GOD’S Grace through the shed blood of JESUS. The blood of JESUS paid, in full, the price for sin and opened the door to eternal salvation through faith in JESUS.

The rock was and is a symbol of Christ (Exodus from Egypt – Does this include all people today? YES! How? Through the miracle of faith in JESUS through being “born-again.”

Spiritual birth, through faith in JESUS, results in all who place their faith in JESUS, Jews, and members of GOD’S eternal family.)

Back to our scripture:

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 10:1-4: (This is a foreshadow of all who place their faith in JESUS being Spirit-born into GOD’S eternal Family. The Apostle Paul wrote this. Keep in mind that Paul, before being “born-again,” was a Pharisee and studied Judaism under the Jewish teacher Gamaliel.)

1 Corinthians 10:1: Now I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud (when “our” ancestors left Egypt), all passed through the sea, ² and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. ³ They all ate the same spiritual food, ⁴ and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. ⁵ Nevertheless God was not pleased with most of them since they were struck down in the wilderness.

The striking of the rock is a foreshadow of JESUS being struck as punishment for sin (The LAW). The next time, in the Wilderness of Zin, God did not want Him struck figuratively again, but to be spoken to (Grace).

The first event occurred in the wilderness of Sin and the second occurred in the wilderness of Zin.

Tragedy Occurred (Source - Never Thirst)

The second event was also tragic as Moses sinned and lost the right to enter the Promised Land. He sinned by becoming angry at the people, but the sin that cost him the right to enter the promised land was his lack of faithfulness. Notice God’s curious statement in Numbers 20:12:

¹² But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me to demonstrate my holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.”

God’s comment that Moses “did not trust Me” is explained in Deuteronomy 32:51-52:

⁵¹ For both of you broke faith with me among the Israelites at the Waters of Meribath-kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin by failing to treat me as holy in their presence. ⁵² Although from a distance you will view the land that I am giving the Israelites, you will not go there.”

The Hebrew word for “broke faith” has the idea of “unfaithful, not loyal, and deceitful.” He was not faithful. In a sense, God was depending on him and he “let God down.” Moses’ sin occurred in his heart before he hit the rock. He was unfaithful.

Conclusion:

There are times in our lives when we have been unfaithful.

What a joy to be secure in GOD’S Grace.

Once a person has been “born-again” through faith in JESUS, he/she is eternally secure, however the person of faith will lose his/her rewards but not his/her salvation.

So why did God punish Moses so severely?

Because Moses’ relationship with God was like no other man’s. He is described as a humble man and a great prophet. God granted him a special relationship and in return GOD expected Moses to be faithful.

What a lesson for us! God calls us to be faithful in all that we do. Let’s ask God to make us faithful men and women. A special relationship with God calls for faithfulness. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us be faithful and trust to the end in JESUS and HIS POWER.

Since the Passion of JESUS, all who place their faith in JESUS are under GOD’S Grace!

Do you want to be under GOD’S Grace? If so, ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart.

This makes you GOD’S SON/DAUGHTER, through the miracle of Spiritual Birth into GOD’S eternal Family.

Blessings!!!

 

 

Bible Study - Noah: A Faith That Pleases GOD - Genesis 6:1-22 - June 8, 2025

 

Bible Study - Noah: A Faith That Pleases GOD - Genesis 6:1-22 – June 8, 2025

Sons of God and Daughters of Mankind - Why GOD Destroyed Earth with a Flood?

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-22

Let’s explore the scripture before and after the worldwide flood.

Now laying the basis for our study:

The Nephilim are described in the Bible as mysterious beings or humans of great size and strength, often referred to as "fallen ones" due to their moral decline. They are mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in Genesis and Numbers, and are considered the offspring of the "sons of God" and the "daughters of man". Interpretations of the Nephilim vary, with some viewing them as giants or mighty men, while others see them as a unique race of beings associated with great evil. Their origins and nature remain a topic of debate among scholars and theologians. 

Let’s read Genesis 6:1-22:

Genesis 6:1 When mankind (Male human to Female human) began to multiply on the earth and daughters (human) were born to them, ² the sons of God (fallen angels) saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful, and they took any they chose as wives for themselves. 3 And the Lord said, “My Spirit will not remain[strive] with[in] mankind forever, because they are corrupt.[flesh] Their days will be 120 years.” ⁴ The Nephilim^[d] were on the earth both in those days and afterward, when the sons of God (fallen angels) came to the daughters of mankind, who bore children to them. They were the powerful men of old, the famous men.

Genesis 6:5-8 - Judgment Decreed

⁵ When the Lord saw that human wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every inclination of the human mind was nothing but evil all the time, ⁶ the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and he was deeply grieved. ⁷ Then the Lord said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I created, off the face of the earth, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky—for I regret that I made them.” ⁸ Noah, however, found favor with the Lord.

Thank you, Noah!!! And thank YOU, GOD.

GOD saved mankind, as we know it, from total destruction, through the faith that Noah had in GOD. Rather than totally annihilating humanity.

God Warns Noah – Genesis 6:9-22:

⁹ These are the family records of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God. ¹⁰ And Noah fathered three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

¹¹ Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with wickedness.^[e] 12 God saw how corrupt the earth was, for every creature had corrupted its way on the earth. ¹³ Then God said to Noah, “I have decided to put an end to every creature, for the earth is filled with wickedness because of them; therefore, I am going to destroy them along with the earth.

¹⁴ “Make yourself an ark of gopher^[f] wood. Make rooms in the ark and cover it with pitch inside and outside. ¹⁵ This is how you are to make it: The ark will be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high.^[g] 16 You are to make a roof,^[h] finishing the sides of the ark to within eighteen inches^[i] of the roof. You are to put a door in the side of the ark. Make it with lower, middle, and upper decks.

¹⁷ “Understand that I am bringing a flood—floodwaters on the earth to destroy every creature under heaven with the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. ¹⁸ But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark with your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives. ¹⁹ You are also to bring into the ark two of all the living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. ²⁰ Two of everything—from the birds according to their kinds, from the livestock according to their kinds, and from the animals that crawl on the ground according to their kinds—will come to you so that you can keep them alive. ²¹ Take with you every kind of food that is eaten; gather it as food for you and for them.” ²² And Noah did this. He did everything that God had commanded him.

What was strange about Noah building an Ark/boat designed to float in water?

The area where Noah and family lived is thought to be Mesopotamia which is located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and is now modern-day Iraq. It was a desert area, and it had not rained there. Scholars think that the water for that area came from mist coming up from the ground. So, building such a massive boat in such a dry area was a novelty and the people of that area came out to see the building of a vessel that would float on water in the desert. People came to see this phenomenon.

Noah preached to all the people who were in the area or came to that area about the ONE TRUE GOD of the Universe.

It was a huge undertaking by Noah and likely an attraction drawing a large number of spectators. This gave Noah an opportunity to warn the people of the coming destruction by a flood!

Noah was obedient to GOD’S instructions.

So, where does all of this lead us? When the ark was completed, it was loaded with its intended cargo of a variety of land animals, Noah’s family, and provisions (food) for both the animals and humans.

To me, the most profound statement is found in Genesis 7¹⁶ Those that entered, male and female of every creature, entered just as God had commanded him. Then the Lord shut the door!

Folks, we are approaching another event, the second coming of JESUS to earth. Those who have been “born-again” will be taken up into the air to unite with JESUS and taken into Heaven. This period is known as the end times of life as we know it upon earth. Most people do not believe it. Just like in the days of Noah.

It is difficult for people who have not been “born-again” by the Holy Spirit to conceive of people who have been Spirit-born having a personal relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS or to be taken up into the air to meet JESUS when the rapture of those “born-again” takes place.

JESUS will come to earth to establish HIS Kingdom upon earth to rule for 1,000 years. That will be a time when Satan will be bound.

I believe GOD’S children will be taken up, raptured, to be with GOD and JESUS in Heaven.

The door is now open for all people to accept JESUS as their Savior. GOD will close the door of grace one day. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart and redeem you from the consequence of your sins and become GOD’S Son/Daughter through the miracle of Spiritual Birth.

Living by faith begins with being in right relationship with GOD.

How can a person be in right relationship with GOD?

JESUS willingly left HIS home in Heaven and came to earth to live a sinless life, human life, to be the perfect acceptable sacrifice to HIS FATHER, GOD, to pay for all sin, in full for all who place their faith in JESUS.

JESUS gave HIS sinless just for you. How can that be? If you were the only person to ever accept JESUS as your Savior, HE would have given HIS life just for you. That is personal and individual.

What is salvation? Saving you for spending eternity in Hell instead of Heaven. The choice is each person’s decision. How about babies, children, mentally challenged? GOD makes provisions for them.

But you are of sound mind have a decision to make if you have not already made it.

How do you choose? Heaven through faith in JESUS or Hell by doing nothing?

Ask JESUS to forgive you for all your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart/life, believing and accepting the fact that JESUS death by the shedding of HIS blood and GOD resurrecting JESUS from the dead is evidence that JESUS is the only way for any person to have eternal life. Do you accept or reject?

In Revelation 3:20:

See! I (JESUS) stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

JESUS is speaking. JESUS stands at the door of a person’s heart. Every person who has lived or will ever live, The Holy Spirit knocks on that person’s heart’s door. The latch to unlock his/her door is on the inside and only that person can unlock his/her door and invite JESUS to come in.

Let JESUS come into your heart and let HIM rule your life by making your Savior first and then making HIM the LORD of your life.

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Study (1) - Walking by Faith - Hebrews 11:1-40 - June 1, 2025

 

Bible Study (1) – Walking by Faith – Hebrews 11:1-40 – June 1, 2025

Walking and living by faith begins with being in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

The right relationship with GOD and JESUS for any person is to be “born-again” Spiritually into GOD’S eternal Family.

This is a radical change for the redeemed person. He/she has been changed by the power of GOD from being a person traveling to Hell to a redeemed person on the path to eternal Life in Heaven through faith in JESUS.

How does a person do that? GOD has HIS redemptive plan through faith in HIS only SON, JESUS. HIS plan is open to all people. Salvation is open to any and all people. A person must believe that JESUS was and is the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD for all sin. The sinless blood of JESUS was shed upon the cross to pay, in full, for all sins for all who place their faith in the passion of JESUS.

The basics of salvation as written in John 3:16-21:

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he (GOD) gave his one and only Son (JESUS), that whoever believes in him (JESUS) shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him (JESUS) is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ This is the verdict: Light (JESUS) has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Nothing is hidden!!!

GOD and JESUS already know your heart, so fess up and ask JESUS to forgive you for all of your sins and ask JESUS to come into your heart and save your soul. That is Spiritual Birth or being “Born-again.”

Being born again in your spirit is spiritual birth and it is eternal because the Divine Sperm, The Holy Spirit unites with your human spirit and spiritual conception takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. In that instant you become GOD’S eternal Son or Daughter and will never experience the physical death of your body. Your “born-again” spirit will exit your physical body before your physical body dies.

How do I know that? You might go to actsclass.blogspot.com and in the upper left corner of the blog you will see a space, type in Mrs. Green.

This is why JESUS came to earth physically as 100% human, yet 100% GOD and subject to sinning. JESUS was tempted in all ways humans are tempted, yet without sin.

For JESUS to be the perfect sacrifice for all sin. JESUS had to be the perfect and acceptable sacrifice to GOD, HIS FATHER for all sin. HE had to be capable of sinning, but HE chose not to sin. So, anyone reading this has the opportunity to be “born-again,” through faith in JESUS. Ask JESUS to forgive you for all your sins and ask JESUS to come into your life believing that JESUS paid your sin debt in full by HIM giving HIS sinless life to pay your sin debt.

The Holy Spirit came upon The Virgin Mary, who was chosen by GOD. Mary conceived JESUS by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came upon Mary and conceived and physically gave birth to JESUS, nine months later. The power of the Holy Spirit coming upon the Virgin Mary, resulted in JESUS. The power of the Holy Spirit coming upon a person asking GOD to forgive him/her for their sins through faith in JESUS and for JESUS to redeem him/her from his/her sins is also a miracle. The result is a person, male or female being “born-again” or “Spirit-born” into GOD’S eternal Family.

Spiritual birth is a miracle which reveals to all people GOD’S power for any person, male or female, of any race to be “born-again” Spiritually. The instant a person asks JESUS to forgive him or her for his/her sins and for JESUS to come into his or her heart, that person is “born-again.” The Divine Sperm of GOD, The Holy Spirit unites with the human spirit (consider the human spirit as the human egg), Spiritual conception takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye.

It is the “born-again”/” Spirit-born” person that is conceived by the Holy Spirit and is GOD’S eternal “Son” or “Daughter.” This conversion is possible for any person, through faith in JESUS. There is no other way to eternal life except through faith in JESUS.

JESUS willingly came to earth to live a sinless life and to give HIS sinless life to atone for all sin. However, each individual must be redeemed from his/her sins by placing his/her faith in JESUS, which was and is GOD’S redemptive plan of salvation for ALL people through faith in JESUS and HIS passion.

JESUS lived a sinless life upon earth. JESUS was capable of sinning, but HE knew HIS FATHER’S redemptive plan rested upon the fact that HE had to remain sinless and HE accomplished HIS purpose for HIS FATHER-GOD and for all people who place their faith in JESUS to be “Born-again” and become eternal citizens of Heaven. Thank YOU, JESUS!!!

JESUS lived a sinless life upon earth, thus becoming the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD to pay, in full, for both the original sin of Adam and Eve and all the sins of humanity. JESUS paid the sin debt for all people by HIS shed Blood. JESUS paid the sin debt in full but each and every person must acknowledge that HE did and accept the fact that HE did by faith.

How about children? There is an age of accountability. Only GOD knows that age for every person from the fetus to the oldest person to ever live. But do not try to get to Heaven on a technicality, ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart/life and save you from eternity in Hell. Heaven is just that, Heaven!!! And you don’t want to miss it. Eternity is just that – eternal!

GOD and JESUS redemptive plan is just for you. If you had been the only person to accept JESUS as your Savior, JESUS would have given HIS sinless life just for you. Now, that is personal. This was and is GOD’S redemptive plan.

The shedding of blood goes back to the Law as revealed in the Old Testament and repeated in the New Testament in Hebrews 9:22:

According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

The atonement for all sin had to be prefect and acceptable to GOD!!!

JESUS was the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD for all sin for all who will place their faith in JESUS and HIS Passion – physical death upon the cross, shedding of HIS blood, physical death and bodily resurrection, which shows to all people that JESUS conquered death!!!

When any person places his/her faith in JESUS, he or she will conquer eternal death because faith in JESUS is the ONLY way to eternal life.

How do you choose? The choice is yours to make. Choose wisely my friend.

GOD is the architect of salvation as revealed in John 3:16: ¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[a] He gave^[b] his one and only Son (JESUS), so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Faith in JESUS and HIS passion is the only way to eternal life.

What did JESUS’ passion entail? – HIS physical life as a human upon earth, sinless life, physical death to reveal that JESUS was 100% human. GOD resurrected JESUS from physical death to eternal life on the third day and JESUS physically walked upon earth 40 days after HIS resurrection. JESUS is the first fruit from the grave to be resurrected and walk physically and eternally as proof that HE conquered physical death and received eternal life. JESUS is proof to all humans and is their guarantee that any person who places his/her faith in JESUS will be “Born-again” and receive eternal life. It is the Spirit-born person’s “born-again” Spirit that exits the human body before the Spirit-born person’s body dies physically.

As GOD’S Son or Daughter, talk to GOD as you would to your very closest friend to whom you can talk truthfully and plainly. HE already knows you intimately. GOD even knows the number of hairs on your head. You are GOD’S SON or DAUGHTER through faith in JESUS.

Dear FATHER, thank YOU for sending YOUR ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, JESUS, to earth to atone for all sin and redeem all from eternal death who place their faith in YOU, JESUS, and YOUR passion.

What does “begotten” mean? Natural born, yet a divine relationship. Yes, JESUS, who lived a 100% human life was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary. GOD chose Mary to give birth to HIS Only SON, JESUS. The immaculate conception of JESUS is a foreshadow of the redemption of all who place their faith in JESUS and are “born-again” in their spirit and redeemed from Hell.

FATHER, for all who read this, open their eyes to YOUR truth of eternal life through faith in JESUS, The Hope of Glory. All who have been redeemed have received one or more Spiritual gifts. Reveal to each person his/her Spiritual Gift (s) and empower them to live by Faith and use their Spiritual Gift or Gifts as YOU lead and direct as he/she grows Spiritually and walks with YOU, as led by the Holy Spirit.

I am praying and considering a series on Spiritual Gifts. Please pray with me.

Once a person is born-again, faith is vital as he/she walks with GOD through faith in JESUS.

What is faith? Let’s explore!!!

Living by Faith – GOD’S Hall of Fame:

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the reality^[a] of what is hoped for, the proof^[b] of what is not seen. ² For by this our ancestors were approved.

³ By faith we understand that the universe was^[c] created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.^[d]

⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.

⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away, and so he did not experience death. He was not to be found because God took him away.^[e] For before he was taken away, he was approved as one who pleased God. ⁶ Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

⁷ By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, Noah built an ark to deliver his family from death. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of righteousness that comes by faith.

⁸ By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed, and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going. ⁹ By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. ¹⁰ For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

¹¹ By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she^[f] considered that the one who had promised was faithful. ¹² Therefore, from one man—in fact, from one as good as dead—came offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and as innumerable as the grains of sand along the seashore.

¹³ These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. ¹⁴ Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. ¹⁵ If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son, ¹⁸ the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring^[g] will be traced through Isaac.^[h] 19 He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead; therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking.^[i]

²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. ²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.^[j] 22 By faith Joseph, as he was nearing the end of his life, mentioned^[k] the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones.

²³ By faith Moses, after he was born, was hidden by his parents for three months, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they didn’t fear the king’s edict. ²⁴ By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter ²⁵ and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin. ²⁶ For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt since he was looking ahead to the reward.

²⁷ By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king’s anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees him who is invisible. ²⁸ By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites. ²⁹ By faith they crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. When the Egyptians attempted to do this, they were drowned.

³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being marched around by the Israelites for seven days. ³¹ By faith Rahab the prostitute welcomed the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.

³² And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, ³³ who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength in weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. ³⁵ Women received their dead, raised to life again. Other people were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Others experienced mucking and scourging, as well as bonds and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned,^[l] they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. ³⁸ The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

³⁹ All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰ since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.

Faith in JESUS provides full and complete redemption from sin and physical death which was bestowed upon the human race when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. Adam in the Garden of Eden was the first Adam. GOD put Adam in charge of the Garden of Eden, and he failed his calling. GOD had a backup redemptive plan which required a second Adam, GOD’S only SON JESUS. JESUS willingly left HIS eternal home in Heaven to come to earth to be the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD for all sin and establish the path to eternal life through faith in JESUS for humans seeking salvation.

JESUS lived a sinless life upon earth, yet HE was tempted in all ways as we are tempted, yet without sin. When we, by faith, ask JESUS to forgive us for our sins and for JESUS to come into our hearts, HE does, and we Spiritually become eternal members of GOD’S Family through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

But we sin, then what? We are to confess our sins, repent (stop sinning) and ask GOD to be our strength through our faith in JESUS and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Some may say, “I do not believe in the HOLY SPIRIT.” The HOLY SPIRIT is the third person of the Trinity. Then you have put up your own barrier. If you have been “born-again” rebuke that lie in the Name of JESUS and ask GOD and JESUS to reveal to you what you need to confess to get back in right standing and fellowship with GOD, through your faith in JESUS.

You may need to ask the Holy Spirit to examine your relationship with JESUS and you may need a redo.

Once truly saved, always saved! But we can allow barriers to come between us and faithfully walking with GOD and JESUS, according to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Dear FATHER and JESUS, if anyone who is reading this and who has been in fellowship with YOU and JESUS through faith in JESUS but now is in the far country, know that you, GOD, and JESUS are exactly where you left them. Return home and ask for forgiveness as a prodigal son or daughter and ask for your relationship with both GOD, your FATHER and JESUS, your Savior and Brother be restored in a most profound way. I ask that your fellowship be fully restored.

You are precious to both GOD and JESUS. Continue your walk with JESUS because HE has not given up on you. Do not give up on YOURSELF. You are precious to both GOD and JESUS. Welcome home fellow Christian, hold your head high and walk with pride because JESUS gave HIS sinless life just for you.

Satan will come after you and when he does rejoice, because then you will know that you are walking in step with JESUS.

Know that JESUS, WHO is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world. Live in victory!!!

Blessings!!!