Freelance writer Lupie Riley

Thought:  Look around you and what do you see?  The rebirth of nature out of its frozen, long rest.  Tree’s have leafed out, flowers are blooming, gardens are growing and Spring birds are back.  It’s a time of awakening.

There’s something else similar to natures rebirth.  It’s called a spiritual rebirth.  In Biblical times there was a man named Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (John 3:1-21.)  He had heard of the many miracles Jesus had performed and was curious to talk to this mysterious person.  He met in the darkness of the night so as not be chastised by his peers.  What did Jesus tell him?  He needed a spiritual birth that would restore his relationship back to God.  This was confusing to Nicodemus because Jesus had not yet died and returned to Heaven only to return as the Spirit Comforter to indwell all those who believe in who He is and what He accomplished on the cross. The forgiveness of the sins of the world.  We see Nicodemus later on assisting Joseph of Arimathea in the burial of Jesus. So, it’s evident he became a believer and was cast out of the synagogue.

Mankind has been separated from a Holy Creator God because of our first parents disobedience to His instruction in the garden.  God provided a way back to himself through Jesus who paid the price for our sins reconciling man/women to God.  These are Jesus words to Nicodemus.

“Jesus replied, with all the earnestness I possess I tell you this:  Unless you are born-again, you can never get into the Kingdom of God.” V. 6 “Men can only reproduce human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from Heaven, so don’t be surprised at my statement that you must be born again!”  What this means in order to become a child of God and go to Heaven we need to accept Jesus (Spirit) into our life and accept the forgiveness of sins as a free gift, one that we didn’t have to work for because it was all paid for with the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for all who would believe in why he had to die.  He arose from the grave three days later defeating death so we could live forever with Him and our loved ones in a place called Heaven.  Maranatha

Prayer:  Father God, thank you for the privilege of addressing you as my father and your child.  You are the coming King so that makes me royalty.  What a bright future I have when you return to take up your position as ruler of the world.  Amen

Verse:  John 14:6 “Jesus told him, I am the WAY—yes, and the TRUTH and the LIFE.  No one can get to the Father except by means of me.”

Married 58 years, four children, nine grandchildren and three greats.  I've been a freelance writer for over 40 years.  Working on a book at the present.  My priorities are God first, family, country. Look me up on Google search by my name Lupie Riley, click on first link. Faithwriters.com