HOW do YOU know you NEED GOD?

 

Proverbs 11:2

King James Version

2 When pride cometh, 

then cometh shame: 

but with the lowly is wisdom.

How do you know you need God?

As born again, I'd ask:

"When did we not ever?"

But, if you're not born again, stubborn, vacillating, indifferent, unsure, still on a high, well, let SPIRIT and I count the ways.

We definitely need God when:

We're sad.

We're lonely.

We're lost.

We're confused.

We're stumped.

We're dumbfounded.

We're confounded.

We've been humbled.

We feel defeated.

We're tired.

We're broke.

We've been humiliated.

We've humiliated.

We're angry.

We're depressed.

We're vengeful.

We're proud.

We feel invincible.

We feel superior.

We've got everything. (Or so we think.)

That pretty much sums up the moments we need God.

Being the way we are, we forget God when we're on a high.

When we're feeling low, we begin to remember God.

Such is man's nature.

And yet, we have the nerve to wonder:

Is there a God?

Is He listening?

Is He paying attention?

Why does He allow stuff to happen?

Where is He?

Those are legit questions.

But only a genuine born again, one who LOVES God, who LOVES Scripture, who LOVES doing God's will, who LOVES being obedient, who LOVES being corrected by the Lord, who LOVES being taught by Spirit, who LOVES waiting for the LORD's return any moment now, can understand the ways of the LORD.

Whether we know it or not, whether we admit it or not, without JESUS, we can do nothing.

And that's a fact.

John 15:5

King James Version

5 I am the vine, 

ye are the branches: 

He that abideth in me, and I in him,

 the same bringeth forth much fruit: 

for without me ye can do nothing.

Related post:

BORN AGAIN classics

Updated 3 March 2023

Worshiping GOD simply

 

2 Corinthians 11:3

King James Version

3 But I fear, 

lest by any means, 

as the serpent beguiled Eve 

through his subtilty, 

so your minds should be corrupted 

from the simplicity that is in Christ.

In CHRIST is simplicity.

In the world is complexity.

In CHRIST is truth.

In the world is deception.

That's how you know things are of CHRIST.

A child understands Scripture easily.

For he loves stories.

And GOD's stories are TALL, for He is TALL.

Adults have too much of the world in them

That's why JESUS asked we be like children.

Matthew 18:3

King James Version

3 And said, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Except ye be converted, 

and become as little children, 

ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Worship has become too complex, and full of human rituals.

As born again, I live by CHRIST's simplicity.

Here's how JESUS asked us to pray:

Matthew 6:6

King James Version

6 But thou, 

when thou prayest, 

enter into thy closet, 

and when thou hast shut thy door, 

pray to thy Father which is in secret; 

and thy Father which seeth in secret 

shall reward thee openly.

And here's the prayer He asked we pray:

Matthew 6:9-13

King James Version

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: 

Our Father which art in heaven, 

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, 

Thy will be done in earth, 

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, 

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from evil: 

For thine is the kingdom, 

and the power, 

and the glory, 

for ever. 

The Lord Jesus was purposely simple.

He was the STERLING example for all of us.

He always gave GLORY to the FATHER.

Never took credit for Himself.

He was truly GOD's beloved SON!

If the Lord was simple, His gospel was simple, why must our worship of Him be ostentatious?

We are not to bore God with "vain repetitions", as if the Lord can't hear, or know what we need.

Matthew 6:7-8

King James Version

7 But when ye pray, 

use not vain repetitions, 

as the heathen do: 

for they think that they shall be heard 

for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: 

for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, 

before ye ask him.

Worship simply.

Pray simply.

If there be a prayer, let it be of GRATITUDE, instead.

Ephesians 5:20

King James Version

20 Giving thanks always 

for all things unto God 

and the Father 

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

In complete trust.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

King James Version

18 In every thing give thanks: 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus 

concerning you.

Related read:

BORN AGAIN articles

On ERRING Ministries

The RIGHT Born Again CHURCH

SPIRIT and the 7 churches

GOD has GREAT humor

 

God is funny,

because we are funny.

The HOLY SPIRIT of GOD teaches us perfectly.

In a way best suited to our character.

Here's how He taught me today.

Starting with a verse:

Matthew 16:4 

King James Version

4 A wicked and adulterous generation 

seeketh after a sign; 

and there shall no sign be given unto it, 

but the sign of the prophet Jonas. 

And he left them, 

and departed.

Wherein, one thing stuck out:

"...and there shall no sign be given unto it, 

but the sign of the prophet Jonas."

Curious, I looked at Jonah's chapter.

And laughed, and laughed, and laughed.

For he was a reluctant prophet.

And God would have none of such nonsense.

He taught Jonah a lesson.

Here's the backgrounder.

God appoints Jonah:

Jonah 1:1-2 

King James Version

1 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah 

the son of Amittai, saying,

2 Arise, 

go to Nineveh, 

that great city, 

and cry against it; 

for their wickedness is come up before me.

But Jonah panicked:

Jonah 1:3 

King James Version

3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish 

from the presence of the Lord, 

and went down to Joppa; 

and he found a ship going to Tarshish: 

so he paid the fare thereof, 

and went down into it, 

to go with them unto Tarshish 

from the presence of the Lord.

So, God does something else.

Jonah 1:4 

King James Version

4 But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, 

and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, 

so that the ship was like to be broken.

And the shipmaster wonders who was responsible.

Jonah 1:7 

King James Version

7 And they said every one to his fellow, 

Come, and let us cast lots, 

that we may know 

for whose cause this evil is upon us. 

So they cast lots, 

and the lot fell upon Jonah.

The whole ship resolves the matter.

Jonah 1:11-12 

King James Version

11 Then said they unto him, 

What shall we do unto thee, 

that the sea may be calm unto us? 

for the sea wrought, 

and was tempestuous.

12 And he said unto them, 

Take me up, 

and cast me forth into the sea; 

so shall the sea be calm unto you: 

for I know that for my sake 

this great tempest is upon you.

Surely, the shipmates couldn't wait to get him off board fast -- in great relief.

Jonah 1:15 

King James Version

15 So they took up Jonah, 

and cast him forth into the sea: 

and the sea ceased from her raging.

Of course, God knew Jonah needed time to think.

Jonah 1:17 

King James Version

17 Now the Lord had prepared a great fish 

to swallow up Jonah. 

And Jonah was in the belly of the fish 

three days and three nights.

Jonah realizes he's done God wrong.

Jonah 2:1 

King James Version

2 Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God 

out of the fish's belly,

So he affirms his vow with God.

Jonah 2:9 

King James Version

9 But I will sacrifice unto thee 

with the voice of thanksgiving; 

I will pay that that I have vowed. 

Salvation is of the Lord.

God takes mercy upon Jonah.

Jonah 2:10 

King James Version

10 And the Lord spake unto the fish, 

and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

By now, Jonah's a mess.

And if you think that's the end of the story, there's more:

Jonah 1 

Jonah 2

Jonah 3

Jonah 4

Are you called to God's service?

Have you resisted?

Don't.

Bad idea.

When God sets His mind on you, that's it.

No escaping the inevitable.

I have my own little story to tell.

Maybe in another blog.

Updated 14 December 2022

The simplest approach to finding GOD

 

Jeremiah 29:13 

King James Versio

13 And ye shall seek me, 

and find me, 

when ye shall search for me 

with all your heart.

Perhaps, there was something I was doing right, no matter my many errors.

I just kept searching for GOD's TRUTH.

I could not accept any man's truth.

I needed to hear from GOD HIMSELF.

No matter how long it took.

And boy, did it take long.

Many born-again Christians tried to convert me in the past.

I noticed they'd "pounce" on me, when I was at my lowest.

That didn't work.

I stayed away from them.

God knew what approach worked best with His tiny creation.

He just let her.

That worked.

Pretty much how she'd "teach" others.

She just let them.

She didn't like the idea of putting ideas in their head, and confusing them.

She just liked the facts.

So she waited for God to show up.

He showed up, on a day she finally surrendered ALL knowledge to Him.

After truckloads of books, something remained elusive.

So God took mercy on her, and finally let His HOLY SPIRIT take the reins, and teach her.

From 6 September 2019 to now, the journey has been totally unlike any other spiritual journey she had taken.

On the same day, she was guided to start reading the BIBLE.

That opened the floodgates for God's Spirit to come through, teaching her about JESUS.

For what is life except to know about JESUS?

Only He knew how to live life that would please the FATHER.

PERFECT obedience.

JESUS showed us that.

He set the pattern.

We're all stumbling, and fumbling, on earth.

Many of us fell.

But through the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, teaching me ALL about JESUS, the lessons were priceless, and magnificent!

Now, all that matters is JESUS, and what He wanted done.

His enemy, the world, had receded in the background.

Now, I live in another world where CHRIST is.

I take instructions from the LORD only.

I didn't even need to be "converted".

When the Holy Spirit of God touches your heart, you drop all that is not of GOD.

It just became simple, and automatic.

Only the SPIRIT of GOD can do that.

Most of all, become like a child, knowing nothing, and yet wanting to know EVERYTHING.

That's my simple approach to finding God.

Matthew 18:4 (KJV)

4 Whosoever therefore 

shall humble himself as this little child, 

the same is greatest 

in the kingdom of heaven.

If nothing works for you, you really must approach God simply, offering Him your heart, and trusting Him with your soul.

Let Him take the reins.

Watch.

Wait.

Listen.

Be thankful.

Updated 23 February 2022

Spiritual road maps to the LORD

 

John 14:6

King James Version

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

My friend defined it best.

He said, I was making "spiritual road maps" for people who need the LORD.

I just realized, after 39 blogs and 24 books, that's what I'd been doing all along.

Now, that phrase stuck in my head.

Spiritual road maps.

And I ask myself, shouldn't there be only ONE road map?

Why do I have 39 road maps?

Oh, because there are 7.8 billion people on earth.

So many different personalities.

Only the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD would know how to touch them all.

There are many ways to the LORD.

But only ONE Lord.

In my case, as a baby Christian, He coached me to just keep studying the verses, continue writing, and sharing -- creating the blogs as we go along.

He had a spiritual road map for me, too, so I can create spiritual road maps for others.

That was the whole objective for my existence.

It just came naturally, too.

For I liked studying many things.

I've had many jobs.

The Holy Spirit was merely tapping into my life's material.

I'd been so busy listening, studying, and writing -- guided by the Holy Spirit of God each moment.

And I look back now at all our creations.

Not that it's going to stop.

I follow SPIRIT.

Every step of the way.

We're here for YOU.

Updated 23 February 2022

Surrender to GOD now

 

James 4:7 

King James Version

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

Resist the devil, 

and he will flee from you.

Yes, that's the way to do it.

Surrender to God now.

Only in the LORD do we stand a chance in this world.

Only through JESUS can we be saved.

Only through the HOLY SPIRIT can we be taught everything about Jesus.

Those are the deep things I learned in 29 months of deep study, creating 39 blogs and 24 books.

It's no boast.

It's constant, consistent, daily, moment-by-moment work, serving the LORD.

And I LOVE every moment.

Only because I love GOD.

I am grateful.

And because GOD tasked me to write, and tell you.

In truth, it's quite easy, because I have the LORD in my heart.

Of course, the Holy Spirit is the head of all that work.

I am merely following "prompts" each day.

And now, my soul rests easy in the LORD, my tiny paw firmly clasped in the LORD JESUS' powerful hand, making sure I don't stray.

That's why I can relax, even as I'm alert for any false christs, antichrists, and false prophets -- those who don't love JESUS.

Those, we scratch.

We do have retractable claws, mind you.

What does it mean to surrender to God?

Well, what does it mean to "surrender"?

You give up your freedom to think for yourself.

You give God full access to your heart.

You follow His commandments.

You listen to every word, every whisper, every command.

You wait.

You watch.

You pray.

You listen.

Every fiber of your being is GOD's.

And when you surrender to the LORD, you will feel His love, guidance, peace, delight, and protection.

You will be armed for the battle (the word "babble" came out, but it's valid, too) against the many antichrists, and false prophets, populating your garden now.

Oh, but tiny as you may be, your lightness of being, your speed, your alertness, your faith, your sharp vision, and yes, those retractable claws, come in handy for would-be assassins, and ambushes.

And yes, we felines are POWERED by the WORD of GOD, by FAITH, and by LOVE for the LORD.

Who can beat a tiny defender of the Faith?

Would-be assassins scram.

Updated 23 February 2022

JESUS will direct our paths

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 

King James Version

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;

 and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, 

and he shall direct thy paths.

If you know what JESUS has done, and can do, you will relax.

If you know how much He loves us, you will be completely at ease.

Your present, and future, are safe in and with Him.

You will trust the LORD  with everything.

You will read His GOSPEL, just as it is.

You will not trust in your own fallible judgment.

Proverbs 3:7 

King James Version

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: 

fear the Lord, 

and depart from evil.

That's how to relax in the LORD.

He will pray to the FATHER, to send us the HOLY SPIRIT,.

That SPIRIT may guide us in EVERYTHING.

You know that saying, "Too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the food"?

Well, too many false christs, and antichrists, will confuse us.

We must focus on JESUS alone.

We are like kittens, knowing nothing, but needing everything.

We need the guidance of someone who's "been there, done that".

Of course, that can only be the LORD JESUS, who suffered, died, was buried, and rose on the third day for us.

He was sent to "save the lost".

Luke 19:10 

King James Version

10 For the Son of man is come 

to seek and to save that 

which was lost.

I was lost once.

But never again.

My heart led me back to the LORD.

At the precise moment -- 29 months ago -- and 39 blogs later.

God knows when your heart is ready.

You can be sure about that.

Therein lay my peace.

On that deep knowledge God has of me.

I can really feel His love.

I can really feel His blessings.

ESPECIALLY when He made me born again.

And it is the same, for each one of us, who care to know the FATHER, through JESUS.

And want to believe in something real.

Updated 28 December 2023