Being Born Again In Christ Baptism Study

 https://youtu.be/a0UacBamUEY?si=J2jv5-lQQttxMjGq

Baptize me where the wind sings new songs, And flows deep in my lungs, to breathe Kingdom come

Baptize me when the rain falls on the sea, And stairs back at me, baptize me

Baptize me in the heat of the burning sun, That causes all growth to come, where death and life are one

Baptize me with the birds in the morning, With the leaves in their turning, baptize me

In what was, in what is, in what's coming, Baptize me

Baptize me up in the mountains, Through rivers up fountains, Through the forest surrounding

Baptize me in the eyes of my brother, In the love of my mother, baptize me.

I was down on my luck, I was stuck, I was running 'round broken-hearted, I was sinking so fast, I couldn't last falling apart And You could've ran away, Leaving me there in my shame, Leaving me fighting my pain, But You made a better way, Oh, oh, oh, I've been saved, Goodbye to the sinner, I'm held by the Father above, No more shame, for, I'm out of the desert and drowned in the power of love, Amazing grace, my soul set free, Ain't no grave, got a hold on me, I'm born again, born again, Washed by the water, I'm clean, My eyes have been open, You're showing me all of my life in a new light, Every step, every breath, Like it's the first time. 

I am a born-again Christian, but that's not the coat that I wear. It's just how my heart's been changed.

The born-again Christian sees life not as blurred, confused, meaningless mass, but as something planned and purposeful.

I'm looking at a masterpiece, I'm staring at a work of art, I'm listening to a symphony, In every beat of your tiny heart, You used to be a choice to make, But now I think you've chosen me, 'Cause I see ten fingers, ten toes, Two eyes and I know this is meant to be, Oh I don't believe in accidents, Miracles, they don't just happen by chance, As long as my God holds the world in his hands, I know that there's no such thing as unplanned, Broken turns to beautiful, I see you right before my eyes And every single breath you breathe, Is destiny love has brought to life, I thought it was my story's end, But now the future's all I see, Instead of asking who you might've been, I'm wondering who you're gonna be, 'Cause I don't believe in accidents, Miracles, they don't just happen by chance, As long as my God holds the world in his hands, I know that there's no such thing as unplanned, Every life deserves a voice, Every child deserves a chance, You are more than just a choice, There's no such thing as unplanned.

John 3 verse 3:  Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.''

1 Peter 1 verse 23:  For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

1 Peter 1 verses 3-5: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Acts 2 verse 38: Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16 verse 16: Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Ephesians 2 verses 8-9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.

Matthew 28 verse 19-20: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In everything, we see how God gives us life. We see that in everything He brings the light out of the darkness. 

You give life, You are love, You bring light to the darkness, You give hope, You restore every heart that is broken And great are You, Lord, It's Your breath in our lungs, So we pour out our praise, we pour out our praise, It's Your breath in our lungs, So we pour out our praise to You only, You give life, You are love, You bring light to the darkness, You give hope, You restore (You restore), Every heart that is broken And great are You, Lord.

In this we see that even in all these things, we know that God restores and will make us whole.

What can wash away our sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make us whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Once lost restored, broken made whole, I'm found in the Savior.

When we look at this, we see that God would leave the 99 to find the 1 that went missing, and He would bring back His Child to be given a new life in Him.

I want us to think on that a moment because we are a daughter of the King, and we are also a son of the King.

God who is our King, Ruler, Friend, Father In Heaven, our Waymaker, and everything we can think of to describe His Love for us because He Is Love, goes to show that He bring the prodigal son and prodigal daughter home, because we are all sons and daughters of our Savior who loves without end.

Father, meet me with Your arms wide open, The world's done broken Your prodigal son, Down that road I traveled, Everything raveled only came undone, Father, lead me down to the river, Wash me in the water 'til I'm whiter than snow, I know I'm not worthy, But tell me there's mercy for the wanderin' soul, I lost my way but now I'm on my knees, If it's not too late, won't You tell me please? You gotta place for me, A little grace for me, Father, meet me in the cool green valley, In all of Your glory, when my days are done, Name me as one of Your chosen, Heaven's unbroken prodigal son, Father, meet me with Your arms wide open, Lead me down to the river, Meet me in the cool green valley, Name me one of Your chosen, Heaven's unbroken prodigal son.

In everything, we know that God wants us to be able to know Him, that God wants us to seek Him, that He want us as His Sons and Daughters to come back home to Him, so that we can live in Eternity with Him and be able to know that when we one day, go to Heaven when He calls us home to be with Him, we can hear the words spoken: Well done, good and faithful servant. 

I can tell you that as I was thinking with what I wanted to share tonight, I was talking to a friend and I came across born again. I think back to when I did a study on baptism, and I realize this as I grow daily in my walk, in my relationship with Christ, and in my Faith with Him. I realize that this study for tonight, might be a little in depth, but it's a study that God put on my heart for a purpose. It's a study that God showed me in finding the things I needed to make this study what it's about, with the clarity in opening my heart and realizing that when I look back to my Baptism study, or back to all the other studies I've done in the past or recently, and then look at this one that I've done, it makes me realize in how far I've come from first starting out with what was a phone call study to now doing my Warriors In Faith Bible Study on a ministry platform that I've called home, ever since I came to it in the year 2020.

I say this, because this study is more than just a study to me, it's a reminder in how we can open up our hearts with God, with family, best friends, and others we are close with and because of that, we are able to pray as a whole, to help those who may not know Christ but would like to know Him, just like we do.

The last thing that I would like to share tonight, in hopes that it encourages all of you, is my Warriors In Faith Bible Study playlist as well, because I feel like there are songs that I chose for that on there that can go right along with what I've talked about tonight, as well as what the scriptures and other things say, because we first need to know God, we need to accept Him into our heart, so we can start having that relationship with Him and growing our Faith or even renewing our heart, soul, and our mind.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0mjiI6GLFoINeux8IiHf8B?si=95939f92c4424a1c

Creation In Christ

 Creating a painting or picture for someone can be wonderful, it can lead to joy and happiness.

When we think of creativity, what is the first thing you think of? I think for me, it would be that God has created Heaven and Earth, that God created us in His Image, that He has shown us that in all of creation, we are His Child and that we are a living, breathing, beautiful, and wonderful vessel created by Him.

Separated, Until the veil was torn, The moment that hope was born And guilt was pardoned once and for all, Captivated, But no longer bound by chains, Left at an empty grave, The sinner and the sacred resolved And all of creation sing with me now, Lift up your voice and lay your burden down And all of creation sing with me now, Fill up the heavens let his glory resound, Time has faded And we see Him face to face, Every doubt erased, Forever we will worship the king And all of creation sing with me now, Lift up your voice and lay your burden down And all of creation sing with me now.

I woke up with a broken heart in my chest, I couldn't sleep, couldn't get no rest, Weighed down by the heaviness of life, And I try to shake it, flipping through my phone, But all it does is make me feel more alone

How could anything that feels so wrong be right? And seven billion voices separate us, But only one can show us who we are, We are made, Made in the image of, Made in the image of God, Beautiful shades of love, We are made, Made in the image of, Made in the image of God, That's where the light comes from.

Last week I walked on water, Today I'm sinking low, Can your hand  reach down to me and pull me once more, The dreams I had are shattered, scattered on the floor, The last time you picked up the pieces helped me dream some more, Cause were making stained glass windows, Every piece a different shade, Broken and then put together like a big mistake, But when the light shines through the colors form a tapestry, A hundred different images of how you keep loving me, Each moment you are with me, Each word I hear you say, Help me understand and trust in your higher ways, The road that goes through valleys help me cling to you And when we find a mountain top we'll dance the whole day through, Cause were making stained glass windows, Every piece a different shade, Broken and then put together like a big mistake, But when the light shines through the colors form a tapestry, A hundred different images of how you keep loving me, I don't know why, I don't know why, You keep loving me.

Hey I don't wanna spend my life, Wishing I was different, That would be a waste of time, Cause I know You love me just as I am And I know my God don't make mistakes, So, I'm just gonna be the me you made, The whole world is posting pictures, Looks like everybody else has a perfect life And we're just watching from the bleachers, Discontent and thinking wouldn't it be nice, But comparison is the thief of joy, Trust me, I know cause for way too long I let it steal my joy, but not anymore.

Genesis 1 verse 1-2: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

2 Corinthians 5 verse 17:  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Psalm 118 verse 24: The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

Psalm 139 verse 13-14: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Once upon a time, Life was so innocent, Somewhere along the line, Your smile came and went, They made you feel like, You just don't measure up, They try to steal your light, But you are a treasure of, The Maker of the stars, the stars, You don't have to wonder, You are wonderfully made, Perfectly beautiful in every way, Wonderfully, wonderfully made, You're anything but typical, it's true, They ain't seen anybody quite like you

God never makes a mistake, You are wonderfully, wonderfully made, See, once upon a time, There was a secret place, Where heaven's hand designed, Even those freckles on your face, Some things you'd rather trade, Some things you try to fix, Love has one thing to say, It's perfect just the way it is (just the way it is)

Just the way it is, ooh (just the way it is), You don't have to wonder, You are wonderfully made, Perfectly beautiful in every way, Wonderfully, wonderfully made, You're anything but typical, it's true, They ain't seen anybody quite like you, God never makes a mistake, You are wonderfully, wonderfully made, So, the world could see the works of God, On display, So let your doubts and your fears, And your questions fade away

Let them fade away, Once upon a time life was so innocent, I think it's time that smile, Found its way back home again. 

Genesis 2 verse 7:  Then the Lord God formed a man[a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Job 33 verse 4: The Spirit of God has made me;  the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

You spoke, and Your words brought us life, You saw and You said that it was good, But somehow we have broken Your design, And Father, we are praying that You would, Speak to us once more, Bring Your life again.

In the things we've read, and things we've talked about in the beginning, we know that in everything we are a new creation in Christ, and how we can turn to Christ to know how God gives us the courage to be here in the things, that God is doing for us and with us as His Children.

I know this, that being a new creation in Christ, that we see the good works Christ is instilling in us to show us the plans He has for us, and that the plans He has for us are the vessels in the good works that He has shown us to make something beautiful into something brand new because He loves daily and because of that we know that His Creation is all over because we see it daily, because God created Heaven, God created the Earth, He created us, He created the animals, and we are here to know that no matter what happens in life, we can give the things we seek in Him and we seek from Him daily.

A Testament Of Faith

 I give myself away, I give myself away, So You can use me.

1 Timothy 2 verse 6: Who gave Himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

In this lyric and scripture to me it means that we give ourselves to Christ daily as we walk with Him in our path to see that we need Him in this life that we live because He cares for us.

Let me see redemption win, Let me know the struggle ends, That You can mend a heart that's frail and torn.

Ephesians 1 verse 7:  In Him we have Redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

We were in darkness, But you created light, You brought us redemption, Through giving up your life.

Psalm 130 verse 7: Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.

In these lyrics and scriptures, we take a look at redemption and how we are redeemed in Him, because He sent His Son to die for our sins, so that we could be forgiven. I think that's a wonderful thing to know because without Redemption in Christ, where would we be?

You poured out your blood for the world, You let freedom reign, So that we can stand and proclaim.

2 Corinthians 3 verse 17: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

In this lyric and scripture we find that true freedom, is found in Christ. I think it's great that our freedom is found in Him, because we take a look at the way that Christ loves us, so that we can have everlasting and eternal life with Him, and so that we may honor in Him in the way we should go and the way we should serve Him to Honor in a pure heart of Faith for all eternity with Him and to know that we are loved by Him and we as His Child can serve Him freely.

Its a beautiful release, To lay your burdens down, To let freedom fall like rain, fall like rain, There's overwhelming joy, In the power of the blood And through the cross I find, A beautiful release.

John 8 verse 36: So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

In these two things, we see how just like the scripture with freedom, that we are able to release our hearts to Christ, that we can find the freedom to be free in Christ and to serve Him well.

You’ve brought me to the end of myself And this has been the longest road, Just when my hallelujah was tired, You gave me a new song, I’m letting go, I’m letting go, I’m letting go, Falling into you.

Proverbs 3 verse 5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight.

In this scripture and lyric, we see that just by letting go, that if we trust in God and lean not on our own understanding, that we can acknowledge His ways because He will make our path straight and we can follow Him for the rest of our days and speak Truth and His Love to others.

Would I believe you when you would say, Your hand will guide my every way, Will I receive the words You say, Every moment of every day, Well I will walk by faith, Even when I cannot see, Well because this broken road, Prepares Your will for me, Help me to end my endless fears, You've been so faithful for all my years, With one breath You make me new, Your grace covers all I do.

2 Corinthians 5 verse 7: For we live by faith, not by sight. 

Hebrews 11 verse 1: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

In this lyric and scriptures that we see, we know that we can live our life by walking by Faith and not sight. In the second scripture, we see how our Faith is confidence in what we hope for in life and assurance about what we do not see, because this where it's important to trust Him and pray about His Plans for our life.

Ain't seen a cloud in forever over me, But I believe Your rain is coming, mm, Yeah, I've been hanging onto high hopes, 'Cause You're the one who's making dry bones come to life, You're the light I put my trust in, Every word You say is gonna come true, You will lead me to the promised land, Everything You say is gonna happen, Even though I haven't seen it yet, I will build a boat in the sand where they say it never rains, I will stand up in faith, I'll do anything it takes, With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades, I'll build a boat in the desert place And when the flood and the water starts to rise, yeah, I'll ride the storm 'cause I got You by my side, With Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades, I'll build a boat, so let it rain, You're the map, You're my compass, You help me navigate the currents underneath, Take the lead, I surrender.

John 14 verse 6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

In the scripture from John 14 verse 6 and the lyric above it, we see that when we think we need to build a boat, to step away from anxiety, to step away from stress, to step away from the things that overwhelm us, we see how God is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. I mean, right when we think we need to build a boat to escape that part of life, God shows us that while we may still build a boat even if it's not physically building one, that we can trust Him to come through for us, that we can trust Him to help us in anything that we are facing in life right now, because He Is Love overall.

Safe, planted here on middle ground,, I've stayed here way too long, Brave, outside of the safe and sound, That's where I be - long, So Jesus take this fearful heart, And give me a running start, Cause I, I want to risk it all, I want to give You every-thing, All of me for You, You and You a-lone, I want to see Your kingdom come, I want to risk it all.

1 John 4 verse 9: This is how God showed His love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

In these last two things, we see that it's okay to take risks by being brave enough to step out into Faith, to not know where you may end up, and to risk it all for Christ by sharing a testament of Faith, Redemption, Hope, Love, and to know that God has continued to show His Love among us because He is Love, and that He sent His One And Only Son into the world, that we might live through Him by being a living, breathing, walking miracle, and letting our light shine for others, so that they too, can see the great works of Christ.

I want to end on this, so a lot of you may have seen me post sometimes in the past about September being Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, if you don't know what that is, let me briefly say that it stands for water on the brain. I was born with Hydrocephalus, but wasn't diagnosed with it until I was six months old. I have learning disabilities, I have Epilepsy which is a seizure disorder, I have Neuropathy, Myoclonus, but overall I don't let these things stop me. I've had trouble making friends, however even though I still may have trouble with that, I have some very great friends that I've built friendships with who have become best friends that are family to me and always will be that in my life. I say all this, and end on it because I think it's important to know that God has give us a purpose to give ourselves away to Him, to allow His Redemption to enter our hearts, to allow us Freedom in Him and to serve with Honor in the way He wants us to go, to let go and let Him take the reigns of our testimony, to release the things we sometimes allow to creep up on us at times, and give it to Him. I also think it is a great thing to also know that we can walk by Faith in the assurance that God gives us to have hope, confidence that He's building something great for our life and we can take that risk to find out what happens next in our testimony, just by relying on God to give us the hope we need to rely on Him, and so with all this said and mentioned, never let your Testimony be something that keeps you away from sharing what God is about to do in your life, and what He's done in your life for the better.