Believing in Jesus Will Not Save You - WHAT?
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Again It has been awhile since my last blog---and that is because my writing and my life had been taken unto new directions. My Spiritual Director has encouraged me to write a book about the different ways God Speaks to us in our daily life. Prior to that, I was given the news that, come March 1st, my steady job will become only ‘as needed one.’
Instead of becoming fearful--- God’s Peace came over me immediately as I saw His hand in this, and later would hear reassuring words---“Use the gifts given and not the skills learned” I had already let my RN license go inactive, knowing the time had come to do that. Now the new teaching job, too, was becoming ---“I have other plans for you.”
It was about this time that Psalm 131 was read at Mass.
"In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother's lap, so is my soul within me."
God had already been giving my spirit a new insight to the way we could look at the Words Jesus spoke about being Born Again, when this Psalm 131 came to ‘dot to dot connect’ the whole message that He was sending me.
“Be as a child, born of My Spirit and walk with Me.”
Not only was a message being sent to help me during my life's changes, but my heart was coming to deep realization how much I needed to draw away and spend more time with God each day. I needed His Presence like a spiritual ongoing medical treatment ----for my body was tired, and emotionally, I felt dead.
It was when I was praying and preparing for a new podcast show, “Finding The I Am,” that God helped me to see the connection of the I AM (God) and the I am ---or the inner self within our being. To find the Great I AM and come to know Him and believe in Him---first each of us needs to find the “I am or the person who we are,” that eludes us.
Too many are lost, empty, angry, fearful and depressed and in despair--- for when we lack ‘vision,’ we die. And why are we this way? For without KNOWING LOVE, especially God’s love in our life---we are wandering and have no direction.
We have all heard this Scripture found in John Chapter 3-v3:
3Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot re-enter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”c 5Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.d 6What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit.e 7Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above."
The term “Born again” has some Catholics uncomfortable, since it is so connected to “Protestant teaching.” That and the fact that man’s interpretation of this Scripture could be a bit confusing.
“Just believe that Jesus is your Lord and Savior, repent and you will be saved or born again!”
However, like many Scriptures or teachings of Jesus---what He speaks seems to have hidden messages. And as we well know----many who profess their belief that "Jesus is Son of God"—do not always walk around reborn, with a new ‘saved’ personality.
To be born again is not a one-time event like the birth of a child is. Daily there is to be that ongoing birthing process that progresses, like labor, the more we give ourselves over to the Holy Spirit. "Breathe---pant---breathe"—all who have given birth naturally: will see the connection here.
“Peace be with you, and He breathed on them and said ‘Receive you the Holy Spirit!” Could this have begun the Apostles ‘rebirthing experience?’ As we know they were only given ‘FULLNESS of LIFE with their Pentecostal EXPERIENCE after drawing away to pray until the Holy Spirit came. (Wow, I just saw that connection as this blog was being written!) Being Born Again---was Jesus referring to ‘Receive you the Holy Spirit and all His gifts and power’ that can bring birth to our spirit?
These thoughts and questions to be continued tomorrow for when a blog is too lengthy---you tend to lose interest.
Born the youngest of nine children, raised VERY Catholic across the street from Immaculate Heart of Mary church and school—Mom and Dad led by example and word their FAITH in God and saw to it that I was given 12 years of Catholic Education. (Mount St. Mary’s Academy/1965)
But, most importantly, because of my parents’ spiritual renewal after attending Cursillo Weekends, I too went on a retreat at our beloved Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas and there, at age 20, gave my life totally, surrendering all to my Lord and best Friend. This was my “Pentecostal” event that left me, like all the early Christians, on fire with God’s love and forever changed.
My husband Robert and I have been married for 54 this year in a marriage arranged by God. We have 8 children, two in heaven, 24 grandchildren, and 28 great-grandchildren. The story of our life together can be found in a book titled “My Journey, My Cross-As the Journals End,” published by Westbow Press . Our life together has been one awesome up and down roller coaster ride which enriched my heart with so many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have found that the only way, Wisdom, Understanding, Words of Knowledge, Discernment, and Healing can be received is first by experiencing in your life the hurts of others. (and you yourself a sword will pierce)* so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2 v 35.
God has blessed me also many other talents and skills--but sometimes, blessings/gifts can and have caused problems or conflict in my life, as I am human and all too quickly that part of me shows up. Thank You God that You also show up!
Because of the many ways that He has rescued me, and taught me through my trials and tribulations and continuous cries for “Help”--- a weekly podcast radio show called “It’s Me, God” can still be found on www.radiotitans.com
