Transforming Heart Required in New Birth

Superficial, benign, religion is not part of the kingdom.....

September 22 - Nicodemus’s Inquiry: What Is the Kingdom?
by letters@gty.org (Grace to You)

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” - John 3:1-3

Nicodemus came to Jesus as one of those superficial believers mentioned in John 2:23–25. But the Lord refused to accept Nicodemus’s profession, which was based on the signs he had witnessed (v. 2).

Jesus went straight to the real issue—the transformation of Nicodemus’s heart by the new birth, which is the act of God by which He imparts eternal life to those who are “dead in . . . trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). Jesus answered his unasked question, “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

By the “kingdom of God,” Jesus is speaking specifically of the kingdom of salvation, the spiritual realm where those who have been born again by divine power through faith now live under the rule of God mediated through His Son. Nicodemus, like his fellow Jews, eagerly anticipated that glorious realm. But they believed that being descendants of Abraham, observing the law, and performing external religious rituals would gain them entrance into that kingdom. As Jesus made clear, no matter how religiously active someone might be, no one can enter the kingdom without experiencing the personal regeneration of the new birth.


Ask Yourself

What are some questions you commonly hear that purport to be genuine interest toward Christian discipleship, but in reality are dodges and smokescreens that disguise a rebellious, disinterested heart? What’s the best way to respond to comments like these? What can you learn from Jesus’ dealings with Nicodemus?



From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Grace to You Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com .  Please refer here for the original post on Grace to You.

Vegetables and Brussel Sprouts

I do believe that I am going to try to deliver this message for Upward's this Year,....in spite of the fact that I do not like public speaking.

A couple years ago, God told me, in my soul, to call someone that very day,...at that very time.  I didn't follow the leading because frankly, I hate conflict.  Most of the communications that I had with that person for the preceding weeks had been extremely uncomfortable with shouts, attacks and inappropriate comments.  I was being verbally abused.  But, I knew that we were at a pivotal point in some conflict; and, I just wanted to continuing running away.  This person and I had boundary issues as long as I can remember.  But, that may be a story for another time, not today.

The reason for this prelude is just that I learned that when God tells me to do something, I need to listen and obey.  How do I know it is God?  I don't always know with 100% assurance.  Sometimes, I feel pretty sure it is, other times, not so much.  If the instruction would align with God's directions in the bible, I try to listen and obey.  Since that day of disobedience, I have gone out on a limb a few times with some crazy but good directives.  Here is my latest:

Vegetables.

Vegetables are good for us.

The bible.  God's word.

The bible is good for us.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV), All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Brussel Sprouts.

Brussel Sprouts are good for us.  I hate Brussel Sprouts.  But, they are good for me.  They are good for us.

God's word that teaches, rebukes, corrects and trains in righteousness.... sometimes, I don't like it so much.  Sometimes, I want to do what I want to do even though I know it is not good for my soul.

I know that I never want to eat Brussel Sprouts even though they are good for my body.

Lord, help us to see that your word, your commandments, your directives are truly for our best.  Help us to consider and obey as it is good food for our soul.

Defeating the Devil's Strategies

John 21:15-19 (NIV)
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

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Commentary by In Touch Ministries:

All of us make tracks through the valley of failure. Then the key question is, What we will do next? Sadly, many believers who stumble give up a vibrant kingdom-serving life for a defeated existence. But failure can also be a chance for a new beginning of living in Christ's strength.

In pride, Peter thought his faith was the strongest of all the disciples' and swore that even if the others left Jesus, he never would (Mark 14:29). Yet when the time of testing came, he denied even knowing Christ--and did so three times (Matt. 26:69-75). Satan hoped the disciple would be so wounded by his own disloyalty that his faith would be undermined by shame, condemnation, and despair.

Likewise, when the Enemy sifts believers today, his goal is for us to become shelved and ineffective for God's kingdom. That's why he goes after our strengths, especially the areas in which we proudly consider ourselves invincible. But if we're willing, the Lord can use our failures to do spiritual housecleaning, as He did in Peter's life. After the resurrection, Jesus met with the disciple personally and restored him, preparing him to become a great leader in the early church. He made it clear that Peter's potential to serve was defined, not by failure, but by his unwavering love for Christ.

Peter laid down his pride, received the healing Jesus offered, and put on courage with the Holy Spirit's help. He then risked his life fearlessly to further the gospel, and many came to Christ through his example. Failure was the catalyst that grew in him a stronger, more authentic faith.

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Commentary by author

We all have stories of failure.  What happens to me when I fail?  All too often, I lose hope and want to give up.  But, when I don't, or when something happens to force me to contemplate this grim response, I realize that persistence and perseverance lead me to much greater things.

Do you know some of my story?  My life is full of failures.  As a microcosm of my failed experiences, I offer to you, this Summer 2012.  I put all things on hold to offer my children a rich, nurturing, loving and educational summer.  I tell my employer that I am only able to work one morning a week, I shut down my craft room, and prepare our summer days to physical activities, learning, field trips and relationships. 

What happens? I'm thrown off by emotions from death, broken relationships and health issues.  I get drawn in to help at work when they are struggling.

Then I read, “Feed my lambs.” Well, at least two of them are being fed.  And, when I work more, I give more to the church, which goes to feeding more people. I guess I'm not totally off the mark here.

Next instruction: “Take care of my sheep.” This refers to the Lord's flock, the church today.  (fail)

Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (epic fail)

I have managed to focus on my circumstances!  Jesus did not.  Following him means looking at others and trying to help, heal, encourage, strengthen and have relationship with others.

When Peter realized his failure, he made a turn around.  When Martha complained of Mary not helping her with the physical task of serving, God rebuked Martha.  41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

What did Mary do?  She spent time with God.

I tell myself again --- fill yourself with God -- why does such a simple task become so difficult to obey?  Selfishly, I still want to be glorified by my tasks rather than glorifying him.

Where are you today?  Are you spending time sitting with Jesus?  Are you putting on the full armor by staying in His word? Are you trying to follow Him and die to self?

With all your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind, Love Him....

Friendship: A Help to Holiness

John 15:12-15 (NIV)
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

In Touch Ministries Commentary:
In all of God's creation, just one thing did not meet with His approval. He looked upon Adam, who was the only being of his kind, and said, "It is not good for the man to be alone" (Gen. 2:18). The Creator designed people for emotional, mental, and physical intimacy so they'd be able to share their innermost selves with one another.

Jesus explained this to His disciples, saying they should love each other as He had loved them. In a God-honoring friendship, two people build each other up and spur one another toward Christlikeness. Many people, however, fall far short of making and maintaining relationships that sharpen their faith (Prov. 27:17). They instead welcome the trivial talk of casual acquaintances: the weather, tough bosses, and world affairs are safe topics. Sadly, believers often shy away from the penetrating conversations about sin, accountability, and biblical living that would serve to enrich their faith.

Strong relationships begin with men and women who decide to risk their pride and comfort in order to love as Jesus does. They recognize that friends are meant to motivate one another toward holiness. In a friendship of mutual trust and submission, two people will confess sin, offer gentle reproof, and share burdens.

The walls we build to keep people at a distance are often defenses against God as well: we don't want Him too close to our most personal business. But as believers learn to share openly and freely with a brother or sister in Christ, they develop the capacity to be more honest with God.

Note by Blog author:  So true! For whether it is fear of turning people off by complaining, revealing too much personal information that could later be used against me or just pride, I often fall into the situations as noted above.  But even harder still is receiving information like this from others.  Do we listen without judgement, value other's infirmities or privacy, treat that information kindly and comfort others properly when they break down their walls of pride?  Who can we listen to today with the love of Christ?

Grace to You - On Judging

Do not judge so that you will not be judged. - Matthew 7:1

One of the central messages of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to His followers is for them to be discerning and perceptive in what they believe and what they do. All Christians need to make every effort to judge between truth and falsehood, between the internal and the external, between reality and sham, and between true righteousness and false righteousness.

Every message we hear is to be judged for the soundness of its doctrine. Paul told the Galatians, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” (Gal. 1:8).

Not to rebuke sin is a form of hatred, not love. Refusing to warn a person about his sin is just as unloving as refusing to warn him about a serious disease he may have. The writer of Hebrews calls for a level of spiritual maturity wherein Christians “because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil” (Heb. 5:14).

So in Matthew 7:1, Jesus is not telling us never to think or make value judgments. He is referring to the self-righteous, egotistical judgment and unmerciful condemnation of others practiced by the scribes and Pharisees. Their primary concern was not to help others from sin to holiness, but to condemn them to eternal judgment because of actions and attitudes that did not square with their own worldly, self-made traditions.

Jesus is referring to the judgment of motives that no human being can know of another—judgment of external form. What Jesus is forbidding is self-righteous, hasty, unmerciful, prejudiced, and unwarranted condemnation based on human standards and human understanding.

Ask Yourself

This is one Bible verse our culture feels good about knowing—and thrusting into the faces of Christians at every opportunity. But how do you see this concept twisted in people’s dealings with others and in matters of morality?



From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.



Grace to You

Only God Is Full Enough to Fill Our Voids - excerpt from Charles Stanley

Drawing from the Source

Read | Jeremiah 2:13

For us as believers, contentment should be governed by inner attitude and the decisions we make rather than by external circumstances. Because Paul had learned this secret, he was able to experience joy and peace in any kind of situation--whether he was surrounded by friends or isolated in a Roman prison; whether he had plenty or was in great need.

The apostle understood what it meant to live in Christ and to have Christ living in him (John 15:1-9; Gal. 5:22-23). He had made a simple but profound faith decision to draw his life from the Lord and, as a result, had the calm assurance that what he possessed inside could never be stolen. He was confident in his identity as a child of the Almighty, with full access to the abundant life Jesus offers.

I want to challenge you--this week, when something threatens to steal your contentment, choose to draw from God; decide to stop drawing from other sources and trying to be in control. When you find yourself becoming flustered, anxious, or angry, stop and say, "Lord, You are my source, and I draw from You the capacity to be kind. I draw from You the forgiveness I need to extend right now. I draw from You the love I need to express." This decision is a matter of simple trust.

Watch and see how God will quiet your spirit and provide confidence when you draw only from Him as your source. You'll be surprised at your own attitude: when you respond from within--rather than from the flesh--Jesus will give you the ability to respond as He would.