I was born again of spirit into the Kingdom of the most Holy God, and I knew my life was changed forever. I would never understand exactly how it took place but I know it transformed me into a new creation. (Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: The old has passed away; behold, all things are becoming new. 2 Cor 5:17)
There were a few things that changed instantly; I denounced Astrology (I was an astrologer for 15 years) and The Lord took most of the extensive knowledge from my mind. The reason He did that is because for years I've depended on the stars for answers and He wanted me to see that I needed to depend solely on Him - The creator of the stars.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Romans 8:5
I was also rescued from the bondage of smoking cigarettes. I still don''t want to smoke, at all. A lot of "used to be smokers" still complain of that urge to smoke, but He took away my desire for smoking. That was my personal blessing from God because He knows how much I love to sing. I now use my voice to sing praise and worship/hymns to Him.
Once I accepted Christ and believed with my heart that he died and was raised from the dead; something deep inside me changed - Truth and light were being revealed to me at speeds previously unavailable and unthinkable.
I knew I was born - again.
John 3:3-8
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
I know The Lord has a time and a purpose for everything and I've been delivered out of some "fleshy desires" I had a few months into being a Christian, such as lust of the eyes (looking at the opposite sex with a lustful nature - something else I denounced when coming to Christ) This one was REALLY hard at first because I was so used to getting attention from men this way.
I now know and fully understand the distinct difference between getting attention from men, and keeping my attention focused on Christ. His path will eventually lead to attention from one man that He has picked out for me. It wasn't easy, but I am now delivered.
Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ's have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
My biggest "fleshly desire" right now is my diet and putting the things into my body that will please not only the Lord but my physical body. I am struggling with this because it's not as if I can just quit eating, like I quit smoking. I have to eat. (I do fast on occasion but that is a separate blog altogether)
I honestly say all of this to show that when we lean into God and ask the Holy Spirit for help - we will get help.
Romans 8:12-14
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—
but it is not to the flesh, or to live according to it.
For if we live according to the flesh, we will die;
but if we live by the Spirit we put to
death the misdeeds of the body, and we will live.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
It will be in God's time but He will deliver us from our fleshly desires! (Like cookies, ice cream, cupcakes and gluten - in my case). I have been in denial of being gluten intolerant but the symptoms keep showing up more and more. WHY LORD DO I HAVE TO GIVE UP BREAD?! I LOVE BREAD!
I can just hear that still, small voice whisper; "Because I love you, and because sugar and gluten are ruining your body. Along with all processed foods. Processed foods are ruining the bodies of millions of people and it hurts me that you are all suffering in the bodies I made for you."
Adonai,
I stand before you and the public, asking in this prayer that you deliver me from gluttony and of wanting to consume things that are hurtful to the body you created. I am weak when it comes to this sort of discipline, and in everything -- YOU ARE STRONG! So I ask that You and The Holy Spirit help me overcome these fleshly desires. That I may crucify my flesh in this way so that I may walk with you in the Spirit, that much more. Your will be done. I pray this in the name of your Holy Son; Jesus Christ.
AMEN!
To the world;
I would like to invite you to meet Jesus Christ, our deliverer from all the things in this world we do that we know hurt us. He died for all of those things and the more of a relationship you have with Him the more spiritual help you will get from God.
If you understand that you are not perfect and you will never be perfect on your own.
If you understand that to get to heaven - you have to be perfect - because heaven will be perfect.
If you realize that Jesus was perfect and died on a cross for all of humanities imperfection.
And lastly if you realize and believe with your whole heart that Jesus paid the ultimate price for you, and conquered death by being raised from the dead.
You will be saved.
All you have to do, is believe and ask Him to be the Lord of your life and you will be born again.
Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth,
"Jesus is Lord,"
and believe in your heart
that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
