ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY
Born Again
I thank my Lord Jesus for a memorable and genuine conversion as a child of nine-years-old when I asked Him to come live in my heart, which was so blessedly meaningful to me for the following years. However, tragically, by my late teens I became weak and was lured away from Church, my daily Bible reading, and close relationship with the Lord.
It was much later in my adult life through a devastating crisis that I came to repentance, and desired to return to Lord Jesus. I had been out of relationship for many years, and as I read the Scripture passage John 3:1-7, Jesus’ words zoomed out at me. John 3:3 - Jesus answered him (Nicodemus), I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. (AMP) For days, those words repeatedly invaded my thoughts until overwhelmingly; I desired to be born again, begin again with a fresh start in life, and to be sealed in by God to eternal relationship with Him in the kingdom of heaven.
Privately, I knelt to pray: “Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I’ve been captivated by the world. Please forgive my every sin, and come into my heart as you did when I was a child? I want to be reborn of Your Spirit. I want to live in Your kingdom with You forever.” At that point, I clearly visualized and felt Jesus as Shepherd gently merge into my body. Sorrowful repentance erupted into convulsive sobbing. Presently this was followed by soothing, comforting tears of the sweetest relief, confidence, and joy, along with a freedom I’d never known. Etched blissfully on my heart, I remember how spotlessly clean I felt. This still feeds me with immense confidence and assurance in the Lord to proclaim, “I am truly saved unto eternal life – I am born again through Jesus’ Spirit and by His grace.”
From that time, through God’s gracious giving, the childhood talking, walking, and daily Bible reading with Jesus, did return with delightful compulsion every day of my life, about which my cup of joy ever runs over. Hallelujah!
…..Rosemary Renninson, Victoria Australia (rosemary396@dodo.com.au) by way of “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)
It was much later in my adult life through a devastating crisis that I came to repentance, and desired to return to Lord Jesus. I had been out of relationship for many years, and as I read the Scripture passage John 3:1-7, Jesus’ words zoomed out at me. John 3:3 - Jesus answered him (Nicodemus), I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. (AMP) For days, those words repeatedly invaded my thoughts until overwhelmingly; I desired to be born again, begin again with a fresh start in life, and to be sealed in by God to eternal relationship with Him in the kingdom of heaven.
Privately, I knelt to pray: “Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I’ve been captivated by the world. Please forgive my every sin, and come into my heart as you did when I was a child? I want to be reborn of Your Spirit. I want to live in Your kingdom with You forever.” At that point, I clearly visualized and felt Jesus as Shepherd gently merge into my body. Sorrowful repentance erupted into convulsive sobbing. Presently this was followed by soothing, comforting tears of the sweetest relief, confidence, and joy, along with a freedom I’d never known. Etched blissfully on my heart, I remember how spotlessly clean I felt. This still feeds me with immense confidence and assurance in the Lord to proclaim, “I am truly saved unto eternal life – I am born again through Jesus’ Spirit and by His grace.”
From that time, through God’s gracious giving, the childhood talking, walking, and daily Bible reading with Jesus, did return with delightful compulsion every day of my life, about which my cup of joy ever runs over. Hallelujah!
…..Rosemary Renninson, Victoria Australia (rosemary396@dodo.com.au) by way of “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)
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