Traveling this life’s road, there are many difficult decisions to make and to be made.
Every decision is important. We would like it to be that every decision we make is the right decision and the one to turn our life completely around for the better and the best. It’s not likely that every decision we make will be the right and perfect one. Sometimes we don’t know if the decision will be the best decision. But, we need to consult with God and trust God Almighty for guidance. Nicodemus paid a secret visit to Jesus Christ and asked, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter again the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” Such was the dilemma of Nicodemus, a Pharisee, (they held to special practices), ruler of the Jewish people, member of the Sanhedrin or National Council and according to Rabbinical tradition makes him one of the three richest men in Jerusalem. He had been listening to the Messiah’s sermons and witnessing miracles. He wanted more information and was looking for answers. We know Jesus’ purpose is “to seek and to save that which is lost.” Nicodemus made the pivotal decision to believe and accept Jesus. He defended Jesus when Jesus was in trouble with the religious leaders. He, along with Joseph of Arimathea worked together to get take over Jesus body to get him down from the cross and to his tomb for burial. Yes. There are innumerable Christians who are like the virgins who went to sleep while waiting for the coming of the bridegroom. They missed His coming when they had to go to the marketplace for oil. While they were gone, they missed their opportunity to meet the bridegroom and the door was shut on them. Some other Christians are like the servants (workers, employees) who were left to take care of the master’s goods. Some of them produced much fruit, doubled their investment of the pounds or talents, while one or the other hid the money in the ground or wrapped it in a napkin that which had been entrusted to him and decided to blame the master for his personal failure of not being more productive and not investing the money wherein he was entrusted. The master said in essence, “you have no excuse, because you could have earned something by just taking my money to the moneychangers to earn interest. But, the servant did not even do the very least which would have made him look better in the eye of the high born master. One of the lazy servants was called, “the unprofitable servant!” Such is the plight of many Christians and non Christians. So, we ask, what is the Lord looking for from us. Nicodemus was curious especially about rebirth and baptism, the Spirit and eternal life. Jesus gave an answer that he needed to be born of water and the spirit. Nicodemus understood to some extent. And even today, some have a question about the question. Jesus explained that the spirit is like the wind. It travels wherever it pleases and lands on whomever it wants to. Jesus encourages baptism by immersion. He encourages baptism with water. (Matthew 3:15 explains baptism to mean, “lay all claim of righteous duty.” Jesus He did baptize and His disciples also baptized. Scriptures say, He will baptize with the Holy Spirit. “I recommend that if you have a place to go and find a place to go and be immersed in water baptism and come up calling on the name of the Lord and speaking in tongues, “do it!” If you can’t get to the Jordan, get sprinkled with Holy Water. Get prayed over. But, most importantly, (Romans 10:8-10) “confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus “believe in your heart and confess with your mouth the word of faith that God has raised Jesus Christ from the dead, you will be saved.” This is magnificent! Nothing to be compared to this great promise of eternal life in heaven with God Almighty and our Lord and Savior. Consider the simplicity of this “eternal life change.” Just think about it, you will be saved!“ And not only that, but you will live here on earth protected and covered in the precious blood of Jesus. He won’t fail you, nor leave you, nor forsake you. Some might ask (many do ask) saved from what? You will be saved from having to live eternity separated from our Creator…living in darkness weeping and grinding your teeth! Scary isn’t it? I hope so. It is to me. You will be saved from living a daily life of fear while you are here on earth. Let’s do everything we can to live impressive lives of witnessing so that the Lord will not be ashamed of us and tell us and tell us to stand on His left side. No, we want Him to say, “stand on my right side. And, also, there are many signs of the return of Jesus Christ. Just watch the strange happenings of this time. The things which are going on are only the beginning of what is to come. I’m ringing in the New Year…the Year of Revival! Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker, Founder-Superintendent Today’s Fresh Start Charter School 323-293-9826 www.todaysfreshstart.org; [Ask Dr. Jeanette® & Ask Dr. Jeanette Parker® (registered trademarks) www.askdrjeanetteparker.com [email protected] “Inquiring Minds Want to Know.”© All rights reserved:references:The Holy Bible John 3:1-21
