The Greatest Return - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-5;8 - October 19, 2025

 

The Greatest Return – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-5:8 – October 19, 2025

As I write this study, President Trump has wrapped up the peace deal in the middle east.

What a joy to witness all of hostages being returned to their homeland and loved ones welcoming them home. A picture of our homegoing when we exit this life upon earth.

I thought about our scripture and about the hostages being released in the middle east. What joy when the hostages got home!!! JESUS is coming again. What joy when those in CHRIST get home, through faith in JESUS. All people are sinners and as a result will not get to their final potential eternal destination, without faith in JESUS. Let’s explore!!!

I thought about earth. Earth, as we know it, is not the end point for the people of earth. The Bible reveals to Christians that they will go to Heaven when they die physically. Then at the instant GOD chooses, there will be a new heaven and earth to be the eternal home for all “born-again” Christians.

2 Peter 3:13

But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Revelation 21:1:

The New Creation               

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

Some of the people of earth desire to be rescued. Others do not think there is anything beyond death or GOD deciding a person’s entrance into Heaven being based upon a person’s good outweighing his/her bad. That is nonsense. Eternity is not a guessing game. It is a fact. A person’s faith in JESUS, THE CHRIST, results in any person, the most egregious sinner, of any ethnic group, who places his/her faith in JESUS is born-again by the Holy Spirit and instantly becomes an eternal member of GOD’S Family.

JESUS had something a say about life after physical death:

John 11:25:

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.

2 Corinthians 5:8 Christian Standard Bible

⁸ In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

The “born-again” Christian will NOT experience the death of his/her physical body. The “born-again” persons’ citizenship is already in Heaven as confirmed in Philippians 3:20 - Christian Standard Bible

²⁰ Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

What other honor does the “born-again” Christian have according to:

2 Corinthians 5:20 Christian Standard Bible:

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

Just as the Middle East welcomed their loved ones back home from captivity, there is great rejoicing when a sinner asks JESUS to forgive him/her for all his/her sin and asks JESUS to come into his/her life.

In essence, WELCOME HOME!!! When a person asks JESUS to forgive him/her for his/her sins and asks JESUS to come into his/her heart, HE does. It is all about the attitude of the heart. I have heard of some people saying “LORD JESUS, I give up. GOD knows a person’s heart. The person who was captured by sin is set free from the consequence of sin, which is Hell, when that person accepts JESUS a his/her Savior.

JESUS willing gave HIS sinless life for all who will place their faith in HIM and HIS eternal redemption that is secured by HIS sinless human life and HIS shed blood upon the cross.

If it stopped there, so what? But it doesn’t! JESUS willingly gave HIS life to pay, in full, for all the sins of the person of faith in JESUS and the fact that GOD, JESUS FATHER, raised JESUS from the dead to be the proof that all who place their faith in the passion of JESUS will also have eternal life.

This step of faith, results in a person being “born-again” in his/her spirit by the Holy Spirit and that person, quicker than the twinkle of the eye, is born Spiritually into GOD’S eternal family, never to be unborn Spiritually.

This Spirit born person will go to heaven before his/her physical body dies. My basis for this statement is my witness of a lady walking with JESUS before she was pronounced dead. If you care to read about it, access actsclass.blogspot.com and in the top left is a blank. Type in Mrs. Green. It should go to the experience I had years ago. I have also spoken to people who have died and been brought fact to life to live upon earth longer.

Back to our scripture - This has been written for those who will die. But there is another path to Heaven for those who are Spirit-born and experience the rapture or often referred to as “The Great Disappearance.” Let’s explore!!!

The Apostle Paul wrote Thessalonians.

Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:8:

1 Thessalonians 4:13: We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep (died), so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep (died but are in Heaven). 15 For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep (died). 

¹⁶ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,^[e] with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.(The dead in CHRIST will be raised from the dead, FIRST to get their Glorified Eternal Bodies.) ¹⁷ Then we who are still alive (Spirit-born believers who are physically alive upon earth at the rapture, will receive our/their Glorified bodies and all will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage^[f] one another with these words.

Keep in mind that JESUS bodily ascended into Heaven after HIS passion.

WOW!!! Tell me more!!! Is there more?

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2: The Day of the Lord

5:1: About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 

So, stay ready for the coming of the Bride Groom (JESUS). JESUS is coming for HIS Bride, THE CHURCH. So, make sure you have enough oil in your lamps to give you light through the dark times or the night while we who are alive wait. ((The oil is the Holy Spirit, and the Gospel of JESUS ignites the eternal flame within every “Spirit-born believer. In other words, “Don’t lose hope in the second coming of JESUS. It is vital that all humans keep in mind, whether JESUS comes or we die, JESUS is our only hope for eternal life in Heaven!!!))

The Bride Groom (JESUS) is on HIS way, be ready. JESUS stands ready to return to rapture the church from earth at the command of GOD, HIS FATHER. So, stay ready!!! We read about this in Matthew 25 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13 – 1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins^[a] who took their lamps^[b] and went out to meet the groom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them; ⁴ but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. ⁵ When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ “In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’

⁷ “Then all the virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

⁹ “The wise ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. (Do you recall who closed the door of the ark before the worldwide flood? It was GOD!!!) ¹¹ Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’

¹² “He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you!’

On the day and time most, people seek but how sad that a number will be told, “I don’t know you!!!

¹³ “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.^[c]

Back to our scripture - 1 Thessalonians 5:3-8:

³ When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief. ⁵ For you, you are all children of light and children of the day. (Those who have been “born again.”) We do not belong to the night or the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation.

Are you a child of LIGHT through faith in JESUS?

How do you become a child of the light?

Dear JESUS, I am a sinner and I believe YOU willingly gave YOUR sinless life to pay, in full, for all of my sins and I ask YOU to forgive me for all of my sins and I ask YOU to come into my life and through the miracle of Spiritual-birth make me whole by the miracle of being “born again” never to be “unborn.”

If you said this or used your own words to express your desire to be forgiven for all of your sins and your desire is to be the eternal son or daughter of GOD through the miracle of Spiritual Birth into GOD’S eternal Family, through faith in JESUS and HIS Passion, which includes HIS bodily resurrection, you have been born again. You are GOD’S Son or Daughter. It is finished!!!

Being “Born Again” is just the beginning. Just like any newborn baby, it is vital that you grow Spiritually. You need Spiritual nourishment. You need to feast upon the milk of GOD’S word, The Bible and as you grow Spiritually, feast upon the meat of GOD’S Word.

If you are not already in a Bible teaching church or fellowship, I pray with you for our LORD to lead you to the fellowship or church where you can grow and develop spiritually. The Holy Spirit is your teacher and confirms your salvation.

I pray for all who have taken this step of faith. FATHER, YOU have welcomed into YOUR eternal family every person who has asked YOU to forgive him/her for his/her sins and placed their faith in JESUS. JESUS welcomes you into the eternal Family of GOD. GOD holds you in HIS mighty right arm and hand. Now, as a newborn believer in JESUS, I ask THE HOLY SPIRIT to help you grow Spiritually.

Luke 15:7

I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.

Just think of the overwhelming joy you saw when the hostages were united with their loved ones. JESUS is waiting for you to come home. The choice is yours to make, however Satan wants you to put it off. Don’t because none of us are guaranteed tomorrow!!!

What does being a member of GOD’S Family mean to you? In GOD’S Kingdom you are a VIP: First, You are GOD’S Son or Daughter, and you have an eternal Home in Heaven. What else?

2 Corinthians 5:20 - Christian Standard Bible - Ambassadors

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

Through faith in JESUS!!!

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

  

Bible Study - The Apostle Paul - From the Law to Grace - Galatians 1:1-24 - October 12, 2025

 

Bible Study – The Apostle Paul – From the Law to Grace – October 12,2025

Galatians 1:1-24

Christian Standard Bible

The Apostle Paul had an amazing encounter with JESUS when he was going to Damaskus to arrest new believers in JESUS and destroy the group. This new group of Christian believers was called, “The Way.”

GOD and JESUS knew the heart of Saul and knew that if he saw the truth in the Gospel of Salvation through faith in JESUS, Saul/Paul would be a valuable asset to the building of the Christian faith, especially among the Gentiles.

Some brief background on Saul/Paul. Saul was a loyal Jew and believed that the only way to GOD was through Judaism, strictly obeying the Law. Grace was not in his vocabulary. Let’s explore!

We read in Acts 9:1-9: Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord (JESUS). He went to the high priest ² and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³ As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. ⁴ Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said.

“I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one. ⁸ Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So, they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. ⁹ He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.

Let’s look forward to Paul in ministry.

Let’s read Galatians 1: 1-24 Greetings

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead— ² and all the brothers who are with me:

To the churches of Galatia.

³ Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord^[a] Jesus Christ, ⁴ who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. ⁵ To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

No Other Gospel – This is vital as we get closer to the second coming of JESUS. There will be deceivers and misleaders who will attempt to lead astray those who are seeking to be in right relationship with GOD, through faith in JESUS. That is why we must know the truth of GOD’S Word.

Even in Paul’s lifetime there were deceivers, and this will get worse as we get closer to the second coming of JESUS. So, fellow Christians stay alert and know the truth in GOD’S Word.

⁶ I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—

One may think, “that was a long time ago and we are more enlightened now.” Don’t count on it.

This is especially true in the latter days. Satan is a deceiver and a liar. He will do all he can to lead as many people away from the true gospel of CHRIST as he can. Satan will recruit others to help him deceive people.

⁷ not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!^[b] 9 As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!

Here, we need to keep in mind that Saul/Paul was a student of the Old Testament scriptures. We will read in our selected scripture that Saul’s family were GOD fearing and honoring people and raised him in the synagogue.

Paul continues ------

¹⁰ For am I now trying to persuade people,^[c] or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

It was clear to The Apostle Paul that JESUS was the promised Messiah. As you recall before Paul’s conversion to JESUS, he was Saul.

Saul was well educated in the scriptures. He studied under the famous Hebrew teacher Gamaliel.

The Origin of Paul’s Gospel

¹¹ For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. ¹² For I did not receive it from a human source, and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

The Holy Spirit still reveals truth and teaches all who have been “Spirit-born” and helps them to change their lives to trust the leadership of JESUS and build their faith in JESUS to move mountains as directed by the Holy Spirit.

¹³ For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism: I intensely persecuted God’s church (The Christian church at that time was named, The Way, established after the Passion of JESUS. That is why Saul was going to Damascus to arrest those who followed JESUS and called themselves, The Way. That is when Saul encountered The resurrected JESUS.

¹⁴ I (Saul) advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. ¹⁵ But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, was pleased (Saul/Paul believed GOD had called him to ministry before he was born. GOD knew Saul’s heart and his character and chose him.) ¹⁶ to reveal his Son in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone.^[d] 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus.

Paul spent alone time with JESUS. In verse 16, we see that the reason for this alone time was to prepare Paul to minister, especially minister to the Gentiles.

Since Saul/Paul was such a diehard Jew, was JESUS testing Paul by offering him the gentile ministry. Only GOD, JESUS, THE HOLY SPIRIT, and Saul/Paul know?

¹⁸ Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas,^[e] and I stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you.

²¹ Afterward, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²² I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches that are in Christ. ²³ They simply kept hearing, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.^[f]

JESUS changes HIS chosen’s life.

I recall, as a young boy, delivering the local paper. I had to go to the newspaper office where the paper was printed to pick up the papers to be delivered. There was a bully, who rode a motorcycle, and he delivered papers. He would bully us younger paper carriers. I dreaded it when he was picking up his papers at the same time, I had to pick up my papers.

One afternoon, I went to get my papers, and I saw his monocycle and spotted him sitting in a chair near the area where the papers were. I approached the area with caution and noticed he was subdued and thought what was wrong with him? I asked one of my friends and he told me and to my pleasant surprise, my friend said, “Oh, he got saved the other night at his church.” WOW!!! What a relief that was to me. This former bully was a different person. He was a changed person.

Saul had been born into a Godfearing family. Let’s consider some of Saul/Paul milestones:

• Saul, later known as Paul the Apostle, was born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia.
• He was a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, as stated in Philippians 3:5.
• Saul was raised in a devout Jewish family, adhering to Jewish customs and laws.
• He studied under Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee, indicating a strong Jewish education.
• Saul actively persecuted early Christians, reflecting his commitment to Jewish beliefs.
• Saul’s conversion to Christianity occurred later, after his upbringing in Judaism and the study of scripture. He had the Old Testament scriptures, and after his conversion, he had the Holy Spirit, WHO revealed JESUS and HIS teachings.

Being in right relationship with GOD, through faith in JESUS, results in a changed life. That is exactly what we see in the life of Saul/Paul.

Saul’s life went from obeying the Law to Grace through faith in JESUS.

Salvation through faith in JESUS is eternal. When a person, asks JESUS to forgive him or her for their sins, the sin barrier has been removed by the shed blood of JESUS. The removal of the sin barrier allows the Holy Spirit to unite with the human spirit, and a miracle takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. The person of faith in JESUS is “born-again” Spiritually and eternally into GOD’S eternal Family.

What does that mean?

The shed blood of animals was a placeholder until the perfect blood sacrifice was made by GOD’S only SON, JESUS. JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life to pay, in full, for all sin. So, that is it. NO!!!

JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life to atone for a person’s sins. Sin is personal and individual; therefore, each person is accountable to GOD and must come before GOD and ask GOD to forgive him/her for his/her sins and for JESUS to come into his/her heart.

When a person takes that step of faith, the Holy Spirit unites with our spirit and that person is born again in his/her spirit. That person is born into GOD’S eternal family, never to be unborn. You have eternal life and you are commissioned to represent GOD and JESUS as the scripture reveals in 2 Corinthians 5:20

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

As “born-again” believers you will NOT experience the death of your physical earth body.

2 Corinthians 5:1 - Our Future after Death

For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ...

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Power of Prayer and Knowing Who We Are in CHRIST!!! - October 5, 2025

Bible Study – Power of Prayer – Philippians 1:9-10 – October 5, 2025

The world is churning. We see unrest in our world. What can we, as Christians, do? Philippians 1:9-11:

⁹ And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

In our last week’s study, we discussed “suiting up for battle.”

Christians can look around, and evil has the upper hand. Evil still tries to silence the true Gospel of Salvation and silence those who know the truth. What can we do???

As Spirit-born Christians, we are to pray.

What happened when Charlie Kirk was assassinated? It made the message of JESUS stronger. It gave people, in general, a deeper awareness of their mortality. Many people have become keenly aware of, “What next after physical death?”

That is the Good News of the Gospel of CHRIST. All who place their faith in JESUS will never experience the death of their physical body.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:1-5: Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 

Spiritual matters have to be discerned and may seem foolish to the non-Christian public. So, as The Apostle moved on, so will we --------

The man, the Apostle Paul knew, is believed to be Paul himself.

² I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows.

Where is the third Heaven? The first heaven is where the birds fly and the second heaven is where the stars, moon, and planets exist, and the third Heaven is where GOD is.

I have spoken with several people who have witnessed Heaven including me. (If you care to read about my experience, go to my blog, actsclass.blogspot.com. In the upper left there should be a blank space. If you type the name Mrs. Green and press enter, it should take you to what I witnessed while fully awake, while driving on I-85 on a beautiful day.)

Back to The Apostle Paul and what is believed to be his witness of Heaven.

³ I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows— ⁴ was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak. ⁵ I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

When the Jews had JESUS crucified, it silenced HIM for three days on earth, but JESUS was still on mission.

It is through JESUS and HIS Passion, eternal salvation was fully established through faith in JESUS, HIS bodily resurrection. JESUS walked upon earth for 40 days until HE bodily ascended into Heaven and JESUS took HIS seat at the right hand of GOD, HIS FATHER.

And The FATHER of all who place their faith in JESUS. JESUS intercedes for those born-again and for those seeking to be in right relationship with GOD.

As Christians, we have CHRIST in us since we have been “born-again” by the Holy Spirit, which is the divine Sperm of GOD.

Our brother, through our Spiritual birth is JESUS. JESUS has already defeated evil and when we place our faith in JESUS, we are Born into GOD’S Family through the miracle of Spiritual Birth. We become a child of GOD, via the miracle of being “born-again” by The HOLY SPIRIT. This results in those who take this step of faith, in JESUS and HIS Passion, which includes the bodily resurrection of JESUS from the physically dead to eternally alive and a member of GOD’S Family.

WHO is your FATHER? If you are a “born-again” believer in JESUS, your Spiritual FATHER is GOD. How did that take place? Did you die upon the cross with JESUS? In essence, YES, you did!!!

Those who place their faith in JESUS and HIS Passion, in essence, died when JESUS died and were resurrected when JESUS was resurrected through our faith in JESUS. Those of faith in JESUS will never experience the death of their human bodies.

In the words of The Apostle Paul:

2 Corinthians 5:1

5 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. ² Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, ³ since, when we are clothed,^[a] we will not be found naked. ⁴ Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

⁶ So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹ Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Romans 6:8-18

Christian Standard Bible

⁸ Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him, ⁹ because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will not die again. Death no longer rules over him. ¹⁰ For the death he died, he died to sin once for all time; but the life he lives, he lives to God. ¹¹ So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.^[a]

When JESUS gave HIS sinless life upon the cross, those who place their faith in JESUS, also died with JESUS. They were buried and resurrected on the third day. They ascended into Heaven.

What does that mean to those who have been born again by The Holy Spirit? It means that all who have been born again, through faith in JESUS will not experience the death of their human body.

The Apostle Paul said it best in 2 Corinthians 5:8:

Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Back to Romans 6:12-18:

¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey^[b] its desires. ¹³ And do not offer any parts^[c] of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. ¹⁴ For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace. (I love being under grace, through faith in JESUS. Why? Because those under GOD’S Grace are all ways in fellowship with GOD, JESUS, and THE HOLY SPIRIT!!! NOW THAT IS LOVE FROM OUR FATHER AND JESUS AS CONFIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT!!! LET THAT POUR OVER YOU AS A BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN!

From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God

¹⁵ What then? Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Absolutely not! ¹⁶ Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone^[d] as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching to which you were handed^[e] over, ¹⁸ and having been set free from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness.

Philippians 1:9-10 (Christian Standard Bible) 

And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ,

When we look around at the things happening in the world, it may seem that evil is winning.

As Christians, we must keep in our minds that evil killed JESUS, but GOD resurrected HIM from the dead to reveal to all that what evil plans GOD shows that HE is greater.

We look around and see and hear of much evil taking place but there is also much good taking place. The curtain has been opened to reveal both evil and GOD’S work that is taking place.

It is time that, we as Christians, pray for wisdom for the decision makers in our government and the governments around the world. There are unprecedented world governments trying to be a part of the things taking place and Satan is not liking what may come together on the world stage.

What do we, as Christians do? We pray! Come, LORD JESUS, COME!

Pray for the world, the world leaders.

Pray for JESUS to come!!!

Let’s read Philippians 1:9-10 (Christian Standard Bible): 

And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ,

The Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Phillipi.

Christians must focus “on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment.”

Focus on that which helps us, as Christians, to grow in knowledge and to discern, as we seek knowledge. We must keep in our minds that we, who know the truth, are the target of deceit. All “Spirit-born” Christians are in battle every day. We must study, test and apply truth.

Know, as recorded in 1 John 4: The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world.

Know that as we get closer to the second coming of JESUS, study and know GOD’S Word! WHY?

²³ “If anyone tells you then, ‘See, here is the Messiah!’ or ‘Over here!’ do not believe it. ²⁴ For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

  

Bible Study - The Greatest Gift - John 3:1-21 - September 28, 2025

 Bible Study – The Greatest Gift – John 3:1-21 – September 28, 2025

We can receive no greater gift than being in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Salvation is a gift from GOD to all who place their faith in JESUS. Like any gift, it has to be accepted. But not only accepted but opened and used. Salvation is available to every human being, through faith in JESUS.

You may recall the Jewish Rabbi coming to JESUS at night as referenced in John 3:1-21 - Jesus and Nicodemus

3 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. ⁸ The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

⁹ “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.

¹⁰ “Are you a teacher^[b] of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. ¹¹ “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. ¹² If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven —the Son of Man.^[c]

¹⁴ “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ so that everyone who believes in him may^[d] have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[e] He gave^[f] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will 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 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. ¹⁹ This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light.

 because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it,^[g] so that his deeds may not be exposed. ²¹ But anyone who lives by^[h] the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

JESUS used the term “born-again.” - ³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Being born physically, as a human, requires the union of the human sperm and human egg.

Spiritual birth requires the union of the Holy Spirit (Divine sperm) with the human spirit for Spiritual conception to take place.

Do we dare reference the Holy Spirit as being a “Divine Sperm?”

Here is a Bible reference for “(divine sperm)” from Amplified Bible, Classic Edition - 1 John 3:9:

No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him/her [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him/her]; and he/she cannot practice sinning because he/she is born (begotten) of God.

This does not mean a “Spirit-born” person will NOT sin, the “Spirit-born” person will NOT remain in sin.

Who keeps the “Sprit-born" person, who has not lived as GOD leads him or her from confessing? You likely guessed, it is Satan. Satan does NOT want you to confess your sins. Satan wants you to feel alienated from GOD. GOD calls you home. And to come back into fellowship with HIM and JESUS.

The Spirit-born person who has not lived an obedient life does not lose his/her salvation. Repentance restores a person’s relationship with GOD. Repentance is making a 180 degree turn and head in that new direction following JESUS, as HE leads and directs you.

Once saved, always saved.

If you once made a profession of faith to accept JESUS as your Savior but you have not lived according to HIS leadership, confess it and ask for forgiveness. Ask GOD to forgive you and tell HIM that you are returning home to live as HE leads and guides you. Get back to living for JESUS teachings and ask JESUS to lead you to a CHRIST centered church or fellowship. Read and study the Bible and go to GOD in prayer in the name of JESUS. The shed blood of JESUS makes you righteous and worthy. You belong to The KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. JESUS gave HIS sinless life just for you to have eternal in Heaven. Embrace it!

Guess what? DO you recall the parable of the Prodigal son? Well, there are also Prodigal daughters and when either the son or daughter of GOD, through faith in JESUS, decides that their FATHER’S house was or is a better place to live, return home.

Guess WHO will be waiting for you!!!

WHY? YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS WAITING For YOU TO RETURN HOME. HE NEVER FORSAKES HIS CHILDREN. TELL GOD, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, THAT YOU ARE SORRY AND YOU ARE COMING HOME TO LIVE WITH HIM AND JESUS MUST BE YOUR STRENGTH. Or use your own words because it is not speaking certain words but the attitude of your heart.

When you do, guess what is taking place in Heaven? There will be great rejoicing and a huge celebration that you are coming back home. Our Heavenly FATHER waits and does not judge you but wraps you in HIS welcoming arms. WOW!!! I Pray for your strength to come home.

I am rejoicing, as I write this because I know that it has reached the hearts of those who need to return home to the FATHER’S Table and feast on HIS and JESUS’ goodness.

JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life just for you. Your faith in JESUS and HIS passion paid the price for all of your sins. HIS resurrection and bodily ascension back into Heaven are our assurance JESUS is coming again, and it is getting closer with each passing day.

Think about it. JESUS was born a human through the obedience of HIS Mother, Mary, and the LOVE OF GOD. JESUS lived a sinless life upon earth, yet HE was tempted as all people are tempted, yet without sin.

GOD never abandons HIS Children. HE never leaves you. HE is right where you left HIM, waiting for you to return.

NOW, THAT IS LOVE!!!

Satan is the one who wants you to think GOD has abandoned you. GOD’S Word reveals the truth. DO NOT FALL FOR Satan’s LIES!!!

In Deuteronomy 31:6, we read:

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

All people are born the first time physically as a human – body/soul/spirit. Being-born again Spiritually, through faith in JESUS, is available to all people to choose. But each person must choose.

The “divine sperm” or the Holy Spirit of GOD unites with the human spirit. Think of the human spirit as the “egg” that must unite with The Holy Spirit for any person to be “born-again” Spiritually. When a person asks JESUS to forgive him/her for all their sins and for JESUS to come into his/her heart, JESUS does.

Quicker than the twinkle of the eye Spiritual conception takes place. That person asking JESUS to forgive him/her for all his/her sins is “born-again” Spiritually into GOD’S eternal family, never to be unborn.

The “born-again” person, male or female or trans, are given one or more Spiritual Gifts by GOD to be used as the “Spirit-born” person ministers/serves upon earth according to GOD’S will and purpose.

There are many Spiritual Gifts available for GOD to give to the person who is “Holy Spirit Born.”

It is vital for every Spirit-born person to know that GOD gives Spiritual Gifts at the time a person becomes GOD’S Child. GOD gives to whom HE chooses the Spirit Gift or Gifts needed to minister or serve. Those who are “Spirit-born” can desire a certain gift or gifts BUT GOD IS THE GIVER and distributes Spiritual Gifts according to HIS will and purpose.

Here is where Satan can mislead those who seek a certain gift so diligently that they open themselves to being misled. So, when you seek, ask GOD to confirm with scripture. Test as GOD may lead you to confirm.

I wanted the gift of tongues, why? Simply, I thought it would make me more Spiritual. That was ego. But the still small voice of GOD told me that I did not need it but if I ever did need that Gift, HE would give it to me.

This is in no way is to cast doubt on those who have the gift of tongues. I know a number of fellow Christians who have the gift of tongues. It is important that, as Christians, we do not get caught up in the gifts. It is vital that we seek the fulness of JESUS in our hearts and live obedient lives as led by The Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12 lists some of the Spiritual Gifts but there are many other Spiritual Gifts that GOD gives to HIS Spirit Born Children as HE chooses. Spirit-born people can ask but it is GOD WHO gives at the right time. I have found that GOD gives some gifts at the time of need.

It is vital that the Spirit-born person focus on their relationship with GOD and JESUS as he or she ministers. GOD equips the person with the Spiritual Gift or Gifts he or she needs to minister or serve.

What does being a “born-again” Christian mean to the person born into GODS eternal family?

Spiritual conception takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye.

What does “justification” mean”? The word itself gives us a clue, “just as if I never sinned.” That is what takes place when any person places their faith in JESUS and HIS Passion. JESUS willingly came to earth to be born human and live a sinless life, yet HE was tempted in all ways people are tempted, but JESUS remained without sin. Therefore, JESUS became the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD to pay for all sin, in full.

JESUS did that for just you or me. If only one person placed his/her faith in JESUS, HE would have given HIS sinless life just for that person. Now, That is personal!

JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life by the shedding of HIS blood upon the cross to pay the penalty for all sin, in full. What does that mean for people? The price for sin has been paid, in full but each individual must accept and acknowledge JESUS as their Savior.

Sin is individual and each person must ask for forgiveness and accept the fact that the Passion of JESUS paid the sin debt in full.

Sin is individual and so is salvation.

Each person ever to live must realize that he/she is a sinner and needs GOD’S forgiveness to remove the sin barrier. The sin barrier blocks the way to Heaven. The sin barrier has been removed by JESUS and HIS passion.

What about a fetus, babies, mentally challenged, etc., GOD takes care of all. HIS desire is for no one to end up in Hell, which was created to contain evil.

Faith in the sinless life, death of JESUS by the shedding of HIS sinless blood upon the cross, HIS burial, HIS resurrection, HIS appearance to over 500 people before He bodily ascended into Heaven to take HIS seat at the righthand of GOD to intercede for all “born again” Christians.

The bodily resurrection of JESUS shows that HE conquered sin and was the perfect acceptable sacrifice to HIS FATHER, GOD, for all sin.

The Bible is clear that JESUS is the first fruit from the grave as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:20: But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruit of those who have fallen asleep.

Christ’s Resurrection Guarantees Our resurrection.

Spiritual war still goes on, and “Spirit-born” Christians can get caught up in the fracas. As “born-again” Christians, we must put on the full armor of GOD and be ready for battle every day.

Being “born-again” is step one in preparing for battle. The next step is to Suit-up for battle as given in Ephesians 6:11 - Christian Standard Bible

¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.

Look around and we see Satan at work in many different ways. But know this “GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL.”

Scripture memory is a good weapon to use when we fight against the evil world. There are times we need to call in fellow Christians to help us fight. Spiritual warfare will get more intense as we get closer to the return of JESUS.

Also, deception will increase as recorded in Matthew 24:24

For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Christians must know the truth as recorded in GOD’S Word.

Don’t be deceived, know the truth!!! Test the truth!!!

It is time for “Spirit-born” Christians to suit up for battle as written in Ephesians 6:10-20 - Christian Warfare

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. ¹³ For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, ¹⁵ and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. ¹⁹ Pray also for me (each other), that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. ²⁰ For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

The Apostle Paul dressed the Spiritual warrior, like a Roman soldier would dress for battle. After all Paul was a Roman soldier. The Apostle knew the Spiritual battles Christians would face as they served GOD and JESUS. No different today, In fact, it is getting worse.

Just look around as to what is going on in our world today.

Spirit born Christians must keep in their minds as written in 1 John 4:4:

⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one (JESUS) who is in you is greater than the one (Satan) who is in the world.

Folks, we are in a Spiritual battle every day and it is getting worse and is going to intensify. So, suit up, stay prayed up and be watchful.

JESUS is coming again!!! Know the signs already given in the Bible as they are being fulfilled.

Blessings!!!