There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. "Rabbi," he said, "we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you." Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God." John 3:1-3
Pharisees weren't known for being kind to Jesus. Nicodemus sought Jesus at night--when no one else was around. Can't you just picture this stately, pious Jewish leader dressed in his righteous robes sneaking around Jerusalem to find Jesus and talk to Him? He'd be peaking around corners and looking behind him to see that no one was following him. Perhaps a little paranoid since Nicodemus didn't want to lose his righteous standing and honor among the Pharisees. He did want to really know who this man name named Jesus really was. Then Nicodemus found Him and Jesus said he must be born again to see the Kingdom of God. Born again? How can that happen. Read on in John 3. Jesus wasn't talking about physical rebirth, but about spiritual rebirth. The spiritual realm is all around us...we usually just aren't in tune or aware of it. Most people are caught up in the physical realm so that we just ignore other dimensions. Other dimensions?those could be physical, emotional, intellectual, occupational, social, environmental, as well as spiritual.
Spiritual rebirth--becoming spiritually alive. God is spirit. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:24 (NLT) In the Christian tradition this means accepting Jesus as the Son of God, as your personal Savior, as the Messiah, the living Christ and repenting of sin. It is a spiritual experience in which you become adopted into God's family.
RSVP: How will you respond to Jesus' statement, "You must be born again?" Spiritually consider your answer. It may be one of the most important decisions of your life.
Prayer - Dear Jesus, please continue to give me insight into spiritual life. You are my Savior--my Messiah.
Friday's Feast at the King's Table
One of my favorite quick and easy desserts is Hot Fudge Sauce over mango sorbet. I usually have a can of sweetened condensed milk on hand--I think because my mother always did, but I rarely use it and don't have a repertoire of go to recipes that use that type of canned milk..Now I have one that I know is good and my family enjoys.
Hot Fudge Sauce
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
2 squares unsweetened squares bakers chocolate
1 Tbsp cocoa
Put all the ingredients into a 1 quart glass dish. Using medium power, microwave 1 minute. Stir. Cook 1 more minute. Stir again. Serve warm over ice cream or sorbet (mango, lemon, or raspberry). You could also pour this over lemon pound cake for a nice ending to a seafood meal. Enjoy.
Blessed 80th Birthday, Gladys--a precious lady of God.
(C) 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
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