You have made the greatest decision of your life! In fact, life for you has just begun!

Jesus said in John 3:3 'Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.' He called this a birth, and this birth makes you a true child of God. John 1:12 says 'To as many as received Him, to them He gives the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.' This you have done and can now claim God as your Father, and have the assurance that you are His child.

Having begun by likening your experience to a birth, let us continue on this theme. There are various parallels that can be drawn! As a newborn babe, there are certain things that are vital in your development.....

GROWTH IN GRACE

The moment a babe is born into God's family, it is a perfect baby. Provided it continues to grow towards maturity. But if there is stunted growth and development, and after a year is in the same position as at the age of 3 months, there is something radically wrong. 2 Pet. 3:18 says 'Grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.'

How does one do this? By following the advice given in these pages of the website with a strong emphasis on the Word of God. Because of this dear child of God, prayerfully read this and realize that as long as you keep yourself in the love of God, you will be kept by the power of God. .

SPECIAL NEEDS

Every baby throughout the day has times of crying, and you will be no exception. Your Father who is watching over you far more attentively than any earthly parent says in Isa. 65:24

'Before they call, I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear.' Very often the problem of not knowing how to pray exists. Some very practical help here. Did any baby know how to address its parent respectfully and properly at birth?

Amazingly, the mother, like our Heavenly Father can anticipate the need and very often before it has been expressed.

Jesus gave us an instruction in John 16:23-24. Address yourself to the Father in the name of Jesus when praying. You see you are now accepted by the Father, because of Jesus! (Ephes. 1:6) There was absolutely nothing you could do to merit forgiveness and make yourself acceptable to God who is holy. But now having accepted Jesus, God accepts you!

You can bring all your problems to Him, no matter how large or small, because He says,'Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares for you!'

A baby is one with varying and conflicting emotions. One moment chuckling and happy and almost with the same breath begins to cry! The emotions are unreliable. In your experince with Christ, get one fact established... you live by FAITH in what God says and not how you FEEL.

Sometimes you will feel on the crest of a wave, and then it topples you over and you feel overwhelmed by circumstances! At a point like this Satan would tempt you to doubt your experience of the Rebirth and cause you to doubt God! Satan has never changed his tactics, using the same strategy from the very beginning -and so often we fall for it!

Remember then, feelings are totally unimportant but facts are vital. God cannot lie and regardless of how you feel, in His Word He calls you His child because of Jesus.

TEETHING TROUBLES, FALLS & GROWING PAINS…

No baby from the moment of birth has been able to walk. It is a slow steady process of progress, interspersed with falls, bruising and unsteadiness. You will be no exception! But no sooner has a babe fallen, yelled and been lifted up, it perseveres until it is able! Be a healthy babe like this.

1 John 1:7-9 helps us over these difficulties and is a source of great comfort./ (It is at times like this that the 'homecare' is so needful! The helping and guiding hand, word of encouragement, and the Word presented to you in your need soon restores you!

HOMECARE

Every babe born to a family needs a home... Whether a palace or just a humble room! You too must have a spiritual home and fellowship with your brothers and sisters! May we suggest that where the best food is served, together with the necessary love would be a good guide! Not necessarily the most appealing-looking food, but wholesome, nutritious and satisfying food! Colossians 2:6-10 and Hebrews 10:25. In John 12:48 we see that the Word will judge us in that day. It is vital therefore to be in a spiritual home that has the Word totally accepted as its basis of faith.

You also need to interact with others who have received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, as this is one of the ways you will grow! The right 'homecare' provides that!

EXERCISE

For any healthy babe this begins from birth! Every wakeful moment is spent exercising arms, legs and body, not to mention lungs! Confessing Jesus to others is your exercise. (Rom.10:9) By doing this your growth in grace will be steady and sure. Do not worry about clever arguments and Scriptures you do not understand. Remember the man that was born blind? (John 9.) After his sight was restored, when questioned his reply was 'Whether He be a sinner or not, I know not; one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see.' This is your testimony. The doctrinal understanding will come later, but you have been born again. 2 Cor. 5:17 says, 'If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all things are become new!'

DISCIPLINE & CORRECTION

As a baby begins to grow, it needs discipline. It has to accept its limitations, and the norms and values of life. Because of the parents' love and concern for its well-being and acceptance to society, correction in love must be given! To the babe in Christ, let me encourage you to read in the book of Hebrews chapter 12:5-11. This will bring you great comfort and security in the knowledge that because your Heavenly Father loves you, He corrects you. Sometimes through disobedience to the Word, or by slipping and falling we feel cast off and out of His love. But this is not so, for once we are born again, we belong to Him. As in an earthly family, correction is very much needed and the child during this time is still much loved and part of the family!

FOOD

Yes, 1 Peter 2:2 says 'As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.' May we helpfully suggest that you need regular times during each day, reading slowly and prayerfully a portion of God's Word, and then meditating on what you have read. (This is digesting!) Apply it prayerfully to your life and begin with the life of Jesus in the Gospels. Remember this new life you have received is Christ, and in order to allow Him to live through you, you need to get to know Him through His Word. Jesus is called the Bread of Life, and bread is not a luxury, but a necessity in life! Jesus is the Living Word, and you will find real satisfaction as you partake of the Word and then meditate on what you read!

For more detailed instruction on how to be transformed by the Word of God please read.....Understanding the Bible ...which can be found under the Discipleship section ... Dave's Discipleship Manual lesson 1.

YOUR LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER…

Psalm 103:10-18 (amp.) says: 'He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a Father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him (with reverence, worship and awe). For He knows our frame, He (earnestly) remembers and imprints (on His heart) that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place shall know it no more. But the mercy and loving-kindness of he Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children's children - To such as keep His covenant (hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it) and to those who (earnestly) remember His commandments to do them (imprinting them on their hearts).'

What incredible love God the Father has for each one of us!

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