Clouds and Darkness

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J

J-Kay-2

Guest
#1
#1
A person who has not been born again by the Spirit of God will tell you that the teachings of Jesus are simple. But when he is baptized by the Holy Spirit, he finds that “clouds and darkness surround Him . . . .” When we come into close contact with the teachings of Jesus Christ we have our first realization of this. The only possible way to have full understanding of the teachings of Jesus is through the light of the Spirit of God shining inside us. If we have never had the experience of taking our casual, religious shoes off our casual, religious feet— getting rid of all the excessive informality with which we approach God— it is questionable whether we have ever stood in His presence. The people who are flippant and disrespectful in their approach to God are those who have never been introduced to Jesus Christ. Only after the amazing delight and liberty of realizing what Jesus Christ does, comes the impenetrable “darkness” of realizing who He is.
Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Once, the Bible was just so many words to us — “clouds and darkness”— then, suddenly, the words become spirit and life because Jesus re-speaks them to us when our circumstances make the words new. That is the way God speaks to us; not by visions and dreams, but by words. When a man gets to God, it is by the most simple way— words.

Oswald Chambers
 
Toska

Toska

Senior Member
#2
Nov 16, 2013
1,857
22
38
#2
That is beautiful, J. I can relate to some of this being a new Christian. When you talk about the light of the spirit of God shining inside us, it gives me chills. I cannot describe the way I felt the day I was baptized. It was such a moving and glorious day. I think I was floating for about a week afterward.

Another thing, I understand the bible better now that I have been saved. I am not saying I completely understand everything but, things that I struggled with before make sense to me now. I still have a lot to learn, my goal is to read the entire bible this year and start memorizing scripture so I can witness to lost souls and have scripture ready to discuss with them.

All I want to do is praise Him every day and help lost souls find the glory that I have found by accepting Him into my life.

God Bless.
 
J

J-Kay-2

Guest
#3
#3
I think there is nothing greater than the one who receives Christ.
That first love relationship is contagious and actually revives those
of us who have been saved many years. Keep up the good work you
have begun and we support you as sisters in Christ if anyone tries
to shoot down your love for Him. Keep that lamp light burning ~ J-K-2
 
Toska

Toska

Senior Member
#4
Nov 16, 2013
1,857
22
38
#4
J-Kay-2 said:
I think there is nothing greater than the one who receives Christ.
That first love relationship is contagious and actually revives those
of us who have been saved many years. Keep up the good work you
have begun and we support you as sisters in Christ if anyone tries
to shoot down your love for Him. Keep that lamp light burning ~ J-K-2
Click to expand...
You are not the first person to say that to me. My pastor's wife tells me I am such a joy because I ask so many questions and am not shy about my limited knowledge. She says I am good for all the women in my bible study group because I am making them think:)

I will continue to walk in the light of Jesus, I will never deny Him to anybody. It is good to know that I have friends who will stand with me when the time comes to defend being a Christian. I know it is not always easy but, His love is worth it all.
 
J

J-Kay-2

Guest
#5
#5
A new Christian in love with Jesus is like a new car. We take pride
in our relationship and (yes people can have relationship with their vehicle
ask any man about his truck) anyway, we just love to get in that new
vehicle and drive it around proudly. Then we get back home and see
we have gotten it dusty, so we take out a bucket and car shampoo
and hose, and we work at washing all the dirt off. We dry it until it
gleams. All shiny and ready to take it out again. Next thing we
know, we are beginning to get used to it and we don't take time to
clean it up like we did when it was new.

One day a tree falls on that pretty car and dents all over it
makes it go to the garage for them to get the dents out,
they clean and polish it, but it never is the same again. We
see there are places they did a poor job trying to fix it.
It is impossible to get back to new condition again.

This is what happens when we slip back into the secular.
Even a little bit can be dangerous. Satan is always there
to pull us off the path we have walked on with Jesus.
Just letting our guard down a little can be dangerous in
our walk with Jesus.

I love a new Christian because it helps me remember
that 'first love' relationship. I can only say I was
like the car that the tree fell on, and I will never
be like a new Christian again. But, I have matured
in my walk with Him. I love the Lord God because He
has truly proven He loves me and I can know I am
forgiven. Oh, and I have quite a few miles on me too.
 
Toska

Toska

Senior Member
#6
Nov 16, 2013
1,857
22
38
#6
That makes sense. I have had several people tell me I am in the honeymoon phase right now. I will have to be very diligent and stay on track. I don't want to lose this feeling, ever! I know satan is going to do everything he can to woo me away from God. I am relying on the strength of God's Word to keep me strong when satan tries to tempt me. I am glad I have made new Christian friends that I can lean on when I feel tempted. I have already learned that I have to put my own pride aside and follow Christ. If I need help, I pray I am not too prideful to ask my brothers and sister in Christ for the help I need to stay strong.
 
J

J-Kay-2

Guest
#7
#7
Toska said:
That makes sense. I have had several people tell me I am in the honeymoon phase right now. I will have to be very diligent and stay on track. I don't want to lose this feeling, ever! I know satan is going to do everything he can to woo me away from God. I am relying on the strength of God's Word to keep me strong when satan tries to tempt me. I am glad I have made new Christian friends that I can lean on when I feel tempted. I have already learned that I have to put my own pride aside and follow Christ. If I need help, I pray I am not too prideful to ask my brothers and sister in Christ for the help I need to stay strong.
Click to expand...

Toska, I like what you said about Pride. I too, pray not to be proud
to the point I think I don't need taught. My problem is I opinionated
and I don't like that about myself. I have discovered since coming
over here, I am learning new things about myself. It is a flaw I need
worked on and I know God is going to be certain I get it.

Bless you and we are being prepared as the Bride of Christ for the
Bridegroom ( Jesus ) to call home. Bless His Holy Name. ~
 
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