What if you die tonight?

[Curtis]

John was still alive when Jesus said the least in the Kingdom is greater.

John was alive, but nobody could be born again until after Jesus had died, and resurrected from the dead. John was killed while in prison before Jesus went to the cross.

 

[Curtis]

You can not be filled with the Holy Spirit, unless all of you is filled. The child John was also filled . He was baptiszed in the Spirit in her womb.

All the old Testament Prophets and Kings also had the Holy Spirit, but only on a temporary basis.

 

[Curtis]

What does it mean to be born again?

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh". Every single person born on planet earth has had this espierence.
"That which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Not everyone has had this experience unless they have the faith, that comes from the Word of God.

The Word of God is the only means of how anyone can be saved.

1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.

How that happens is this......

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

[Sue D.]

Sue i became born again the same way John the Baptist did, in my mothers womb.

From my earliest memories, Jesus has walked with me.

I have always loved God

Are you comparing yourself with John the Baptist?!

John the Baptist was the historical forerunner of Jesus Christ. His 'baptism' was one of repentence. Not unto salvation. He basically disappeared from Biblical history as soon as he had baptized Jesus in Matthew 3.

We also hear the beginnings of John the Baptist in Luke 1. Elizabeth and Zachariah were given a baby in their late years -- their baby's name was John the Baptist. He was just a few months older than Jesus. Just as the virgin birth was a solitary event in history so was John's role in history.

Verse 41 of Luke 1 the Baby leaped in her womb and the mother Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

The very first time a baby moves it's a quickening feeling. And babie's are naturally very active in the womb. The closer they get to birth the more active they are.

Okay -- looking back at vs 15 "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. "

All of these things are unique to that particular situation in history.

So -- Bill -- if you're saying you're a modern day John the Baptist -- well -- are you Also not drinking either strong drink nor wine and are turning many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God?
And you Do realize there's a difference between Israel and the Church. Two different groups.

AND That was taking place way back in the New Testament times -- while Jesus Christ was on this earth.

 

[Bill]

All the old Testament Prophets and Kings also had the Holy Spirit, but only on a temporary basis.

Are you comparing yourself with John the Baptist?!

John the Baptist was the historical forerunner of Jesus Christ. His 'baptism' was one of repentence. Not unto salvation. He basically disappeared from Biblical history as soon as he had baptized Jesus in Matthew 3.

We also hear the beginnings of John the Baptist in Luke 1. Elizabeth and Zachariah were given a baby in their late years -- their baby's name was John the Baptist. He was just a few months older than Jesus. Just as the virgin birth was a solitary event in history so was John's role in history.

Verse 41 of Luke 1 the Baby leaped in her womb and the mother Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

The very first time a baby moves it's a quickening feeling. And babie's are naturally very active in the womb. The closer they get to birth the more active they are.

Okay -- looking back at vs 15 "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. "

All of these things are unique to that particular situation in history.

So -- Bill -- if you're saying you're a modern day John the Baptist -- well -- are you Also not drinking either strong drink nor wine and are turning many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God?
And you Do realize there's a difference between Israel and the Church. Two different groups.

AND That was taking place way back in the New Testament times -- while Jesus Christ was on this earth.

This discussion needs to be in another category, or we will have Bro. Bear breathing down our necks.

( God gave him the name Bro. Bear for a reason) im joking brother.

 

[Sue D.]

You would think there is some truth to what you are saying. But it isnt being in a spiritual life that will make it easier, the passing from this life to the next is made easier by your love for God.

In loving your Father, your Brother Jesus, you will be going home

Death for the born-again believer Could be very painful and horrible or as quick and painless as a person could want. It's not our choice of how we die. It Is the immediate transition from this life to eternity.
Your next comment really has me wondering. 'In loving your Father, your Brother Jesus, you will be going home." Are you speaking generally or to Quantrill personally. Because either way -- Jesus is no one's brother.
A person's love for 'your Father' - or Jesus Christ -- will not have you or anyone else 'going home'.
You tend to take Scriptures and apply them in ways they are not meant To be applied.

The idea that 'love conquors all' well -- not necessarily.

A person placing their faith in the shed blood of Christ Does. Christ's blood plus Nothing.

 

[Sue D.]

Maybe we can let Mr. Bear decide that.

That Does fit into this section because it has to do with "what if I die tonight' as to who you feel you are identifying with. As to your destination if you were To die tonight.

Every present day person is born physically first and then needs to be born Spiritually -- the second time. Or else there's no heaven for eternity. That's what we're told in John 3. Nicodemus.

 

[Bill]

I made a new thread called Born Again continued. I set it in Bible discussions, but for whatever reason it is in Devotionals

 

[amadeus2]

The struggles i go through sometimes are of those things that have not happened yet but will. God's calling . This Work / Life it leads to my death. But i am not afraid of that. The Glory of God is in it.
Certainly God's Glory will be in all that takes place. I just wonder sometimes , what will cause God to want to cause so much suffering.

For it is written " they are able to " " strike the whole world with any plague as often as they like "

The pain I would say is NOT what God wants, but somehow, some way, to accomplish His purposes to obtain the result He requires from the finished person, we need to go through things. We can find the types and shadows, especially in the OT, showing the pathway but the 'why of it' is more difficult and at times impossible to understand. Sometimes He will give us a little glimpse but we with Jesus must take it as it comes… even though we know it may be painful indeed:

Jesus knew that his flesh was not to die an easy death. On the contrary he knew already His pain and suffering would be great when He prayed the following prayer:

"And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matt 26:39

We cannot help but notice those final words leaving in the Father's hands: "
nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt". Can we always pray such a prayer when we know the coming pain for ourselves, or worse, for those we love, will be great? Jesus walked forward and offered no resistance to them as they whipped him and beat him, drove the nail through his flesh and killed his physical body. Could we do such a thing if God were to ask it of us?

 

[amadeus2]

Bill, John the Baptist was never ever born again!! He was born filled with the Spirit, but never did he experience the new birth. Jesus said......

Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

John preached about the coming of the Kingdom of God, but he was never in it, which all born again believers are!

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

But what did John experience?

"And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother." Matt 14:10-11

Why was he beheaded? He was an ultimate type for you and I and each of us who is to be a part of the Body of which Jesus is the Head. For Jesus to be our Head, we must effectively lose our head. Not as John did [in most cases] as that was a type, but ultimately yes, losing our own head that directs us is required:

"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jerem 10:23
The head of our "old man" is blind and deaf and is therefore unable to direct us even toward God. We need a new head. The psalmist asked this of God:

"O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!" Psalm 119:5

And we already know the answer... that God has given us a new Head if we are willing to have our own head removed to allow Jesus to be our Head:

"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." Eph 1:22-23

We are, or are to be the Body, but we cannot have our head leading us.

 

[Sue D.]

Jesus Christ is the Only One who knew what would happen to Him. His suffering on the cross. He did it For us. He was / is deity.

We - on the other hand - do Not know what's in our future. We can speculate all we want to . We can even say that we are ready to face a cruel horrible death for the sake of Christ. But let's not assume that we Will.

And, of course -- this life does lead to death -- for all of us -- unless we're alive when the rapture takes place. And then 'we' will not experience death.

 

[Sue D.]

But what did John experience?

"And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother." Matt 14:10-11

Why was he beheaded? He was an ultimate type for you and I and each of us who is to be a part of the Body of which Jesus is the Head. For Jesus to be our Head, we must effectively lose our head. Not as John did [in most cases] as that was a type, but ultimately yes, losing our own head that directs us is required:

"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jerem 10:23
The head of our "old man" is blind and deaf and is therefore unable to direct us even toward God. We need a new head. The psalmist asked this of God:

"O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!" Psalm 119:5

And we already know the answer... that God has given us a new Head if we are willing to have our own head removed to allow Jesus to be our Head:

"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." Eph 1:22-23

We are, or are to be the Body, but we cannot have our head leading us.

He was beheaded only because the queen requested it -- she was being a pain. She could have whatever she wanted. She wanted him dead , she wanted his head.

Actually He wants our Hearts not our heads.

Jesus Christ is the 'head' leader of the Church.

 

[amadeus2]

He was beheaded only because the queen requested it -- she was being a pain. She could have whatever she wanted. She wanted him dead , she wanted his head.

Actually He wants our Hearts not our heads.

Jesus Christ is the 'head' leader of the Church.

Our own heads get in our way of our Hearts. Following own heads using our powers of reason and logic alone will get us into trouble when we are not let by the correct Head, which as you say is Jesus:

"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jerem 10:23

"O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!" Psalm 119:5

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." Rev 20:4

People receive the Holy Ghost willingly at the start as Peter stepped out of the boat so willing and walked on the water. Then they begin to look around at the dangers [and the attractions]. This was the "old man" kicking back in not willing to trust God to lead him, leading himself again Peter began to sink. But Jesus was still there and when Peter called reaching out his hand for help Jesus took hold of him and saved him from drowning. It was Peter's own head [the "old man"] that got him into trouble when he effectively took his eyes off of Jesus...

The Apostle admonishes us: "Quench not the Spirit" I Thess 5:19... but we do it too often or we would never sin again, we would never begin to sink again beneath the waves of death. Fortunately in spite of our ever pressing head of flesh which wants to recover permanently the dominion over us, we still have an advocate with the Father:

"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:" I John 2:1

 

[Sue D.]

To a certain extent I agree with you about our heads. We CAN have a great deal of Knowledge about the Bible -- about God -- we can even know in our heads about salvation. I know I did. I had a Lot of knowledge -- but it had to reach my Heart for it to make the real difference. Then I had peace in my heart.

As long as Peter kept his Eyes on Jesus he was okay with walking on that water. It's found in Matthew 14:25 - 31. Peter was okay out on the water with Jesus -- as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus -- but he was fearful -- the fear and taking his eyes off Jesus caused him to start sinking.

The men in the boat could See Jesus out on the water, walking towards them. Peter was the only one who approached Jesus to walk on the water Also. It was the fear in his heart when he looked out at the rough waters in the sea.

And, yes, that can be applied to the problems in life. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus" that's a wonderful song that just came to mind. Look full in His wonderful face and the things on earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace,"

 

[Sue D.]

But -- that had Nothing to do with John the Baptist loosing his head. He lost his head because he was put in prison because he told the one guy that is was wrong for him to have his brother's wife. And the queens' birthday was coming up and she requested John the Baptist's head on a platter. The Queen's request Had to be granted on her birthday. The king did Not want to do that.

edit: excuse me, but was it not the daughter of the wife of the king, not the wife/queen herself?
The queen put the idea/suggestion into the daughter's head and from there we might suppose she [the daughter] had her heart controlled by her head??? [maybe/maybe not]
Br. Bear ....><>

 

[Br. Bear]

And, of course -- this life does lead to death -- for all of us -- unless we're alive when the rapture takes place. And then 'we' will not experience death.

Greetings,

may i briefly suggest:

Adam [no use-by date prior to disobeying God] - sin/death - Commandments/Law + Promise/Prophecy - Jesus Christ and those who believe [no use-by date]
*no use-by date = Life


re-run:

Adam, don't or you will die
Adam does and his heart is 'severed' and he was dead 'in his heart'
All who followed (99.9999%) in the same boat
They needed the Law and Commandments and the Promise and Prophets written down because they did not have it in their dead/darkened/blind hearts [note: evil hearts of unbelief = also, evil is the opposite of live - evil live or live|evil ]
God said He would send His Spirit and write His Law upon the hearts AND because He is Faithful and True, He did.
Jesus has opened the Way, being Himself the Way for all to enter. The Law of sin and death is cactus... it is done, it is finished, in and by and through Him, Who became our Propitiation for our sins, taking the whole written law against us and nailing it to His cross. He died and was resurrected, the firstborn from the dead that in Him we may have Life, eternal life with , no use-by date [and we now have His Law written in our hearts], our eyes have received sight and we no longer grope in darkness but walk in the Spirit, the Spirit of Life in Christ which has made us free from the Law of sin and death !
Which is back to or restored to how Adam was before he disobeyed.
Praise the Lord !!!

If we die tonight, is a question that all who have NOT received Him must ask.

For us, Jesus is become our surety and in Him we trust and walk and have our being.... which is Life


Bless you ....><>

 

[Sue D.]

Mr. Bear -- just looked that up again -- You're right -- it Originally was the daughter who was dancing in front of the King to please him -- the Mother prompted her to ask the King for John the Baptists' head on a platter.

 

[FrankDSegura]

A Christian should not fear whether they live or die....... It is a win win situation.
Should we depart from this world we home to be with Him
Should we stay on course as a light shinning into a dark world
Holding fast to the testimony He has given us
The testimony of
HIM!
And what a wonderful testimony that is

Hold me close my loving Savior
Fill this heart to love like You
Lead this life to be like Jesus
It is all I want to do
Your will is so precious
It is where I need to be
Glorifying my Savior
For all the world to see

peter

Amen

 

[Bill]

The pain I would say is NOT what God wants, but somehow, some way, to accomplish His purposes to obtain the result He requires from the finished person, we need to go through things. We can find the types and shadows, especially in the OT, showing the pathway but the 'why of it' is more difficult and at times impossible to understand. Sometimes He will give us a little glimpse but we with Jesus must take it as it comes… even though we know it may be painful indeed:

Jesus knew that his flesh was not to die an easy death. On the contrary he knew already His pain and suffering would be great when He prayed the following prayer:

"And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matt 26:39

We cannot help but notice those final words leaving in the Father's hands: "
nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt". Can we always pray such a prayer when we know the coming pain for ourselves, or worse, for those we love, will be great? Jesus walked forward and offered no resistance to them as they whipped him and beat him, drove the nail through his flesh and killed his physical body. Could we do such a thing if God were to ask it of us?

Yes, you are correct. As my responce to the Lord was , " may Your will be done and not mine "

 

[Bill]

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh". Every single person born on planet earth has had this espierence.
"That which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Not everyone has had this experience unless they have the faith, that comes from the Word of God.

The Word of God is the only means of how anyone can be saved.

1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.

How that happens is this......

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

What is the " Word of God". Is it only the book we call the Bible?

The Word of God is Jesus. Every time Jesus speaks to you, whether through scripture, or in everyday life. The Word of God is speaking to you.

The Word of God came to John the Baptist while he was yet in his mothers womb. And because he recieved it, was filled with the Holy Spirit, while in the womb.

It is not something that we in our intellectual selves understand, yet it happened.