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Nick,

I am sure God appreciates your passion in your journey of faithfulness and trust in Him. Your heart is definitely in the right place. But, we don’t all have to believe the same way. We all have our own individual relationships with God. I know you think your way is the right and only way. But this world has many believers- many agree on religion many don’t – many have only small variances in their beliefs.

God gave each of us “free will”. This is each person’s right to accept him or reject him. We can’t make these decisions for other people. This has never been as obvious to me as when I was raising my children. When they were baptized, as God commands in the Bible- I made a promise to place the scriptures in their hands and to teach them about Jesus Christ, God in the flesh. Well they were taught to the best of my ability, with help from our Church and Pastor. I was not perfect, but I made a great effort. I really just wanted to be able to give them the knowledge, experience, morals and beliefs I already had. Not possible. I’m sure God appreciates my effort but I’m sure I fell very short of perfection, No doubt. The only way I was ever taught to parent was by my parents who tried their hardest and from the example set by Jesus Christ. We (both you and I) have wonderful loving parents. They raised us to the best of their ability. Our parents dedicated their lives to us, and have loved us UNCONDITIONALLY since the day we were born. Don’t you wish every child in the world could say that! I pray all the time that my children will come to know Jesus the way I do. I cannot do this for them. I cannot make them believe. I cannot scare them into believing, this would only push them away. Every time I hear one of them proclaim any kind of faith my heart is warm and I know God is getting through to them and that they are on the right path. God has worked through me in many ways. It is a journey for each of us.

Think where you were in your faith 20 years ago, 10 years ago, how about 5 years ago? When you were 13 did anyone tell you that you wouldn’t live to see another birthday? How devastating would that have been for you? How would that have affected you for the rest of your life? Things seemingly insignificant to us can significantly impact others lives, FOREVER. May I ask you to please be very careful with your words. Not everyone is in the same place. Faith is a journey for all. We learn and are challenged in our faith everyday. No one person is better than another. We are ALL children of God. All we have to do is ask. Accusing others of not being “Saved” is kind of like blaming the loss of a football game on one player. Do you really think a player goes out on the field with the goal of losing the game? Do you really think any true believers are waiting to go to hell??? We must be patient, kind, understanding, forgiving and have unconditional love- not only for our children but for everyone around us.

Jesus does show us a better way to live our lives, when we turn our faces towards him we can make it through anything. Some think they can do life better on their own. God understands this and continues to knock on their door. The birth of Jesus Christ is an Amazing Gift. God sent him here to earth to guide us, to show us a better way. Jesus was born into poverty and hung out with the so called “disqualified” people to show them God still loved them. Jesus did not point his finger at people and tell them they were going to hell. He showed them compassion, forgiveness and Grace. He is the light of the world, He makes me happy, not scared and He is my best friend. I hope in my life I can treat people (all people in this world) as Jesus treated them, showing them there is an Almighty gracious forgiving God.

God knows we are sinners, he knows we are in bondage to sin (ALL OF US). We have no Hope. God loves us SO much so unconditionally he gave his only son to suffer immensely and die on a cross to pay for our sins. He took care of us. Think about the thief on the cross next to Jesus- they were both dying. Luke 23: 39-43 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Baptism is Gods way of accepting one into his Glorification. I’ve heard you say in the past that you have been born again. I believe YOU may have just found JESUS CHRIST, but HE found YOU a long time ago. I believe he found you the day your parents brought you to be baptized. Your parents loved you enough to baptize you when you were a baby. The cross made on your forehead the day you were baptized will be there FOREVER. God has known you for a long time and he forgave you for all of your sins on the day you asked for forgiveness. Your personal relationship with God is GREAT!!! I am happy for you, Glory be to God. Others have also been baptized and saved, including many members of your family. Just because we don’t publicly proclaim our testimonies doesn’t mean we don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Have you ever heard the saying, “ I am a Christian standing in the Church as much as I am a car standing in a garage.” It’s true, just because a person goes to church doesn’t mean they are true Christians. Just like not going to church doesn’t mean you are not a Christian. True Christianity happens in your everyday life. The way you treat others with love and respect or not. FAITH IS NOT WHAT YOU BELIEVE, IT IS IN YOU, IT IS WHO YOU ARE. I am trying very hard not to be a hypocrite in my life. This is one of the biggest challenges, I believe for us all, but Jesus preached in John 8: 4-11 they said to him “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus looked up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has not one condemned you?” she said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again”

I know God loves me, I know he forgives me. I think we can imagine just a fraction of this love in the way we love our children. I can only imagine how wonderful the day will be when I get to meet Jesus Christ! This will be my judgment day, and I will do my best until then. I know no matter how short I fall of perfection in my judgment the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ will save me, every single day of my life. My trust in Jesus Christ is uncompromised. He surrounds me in this challenging world and will lead me in the path of righteousness back to my maker, Almighty God- “Father, Son and Holy Spirit”

My journey is not over. I am looking forward to passing God’s love forward to all I meet, including my parents, my family and my friends. Your family loves you Nick, we all want you to be happy and fulfilled.

Let’s all strive to show others the example God gave to us in Jesus- UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, GRACE, UNDERSTANDING AND FORGIVENESS FOR EVERY HUMAN ON THE PLANET.

Nick, I know you may not agree with me on these things. I am ok with that. As a matter of fact, I am good with that. You have your relationship with God and I have mine. Let’s respectfully leave it that way.

Tami

Below is my responce to this letter .

My parents are lost and we as Christian are obligated to set them on The right path.
James 5 19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
ROMANS 10

I do not think people fear the the lord the way I do. When I read the bible I try to listen to every word and take it very seriously.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

I think to many people like to focus in one or two scripture in the bible to justify there sinful nature. We need to study all of it to have a clear picture.

Luke 23: 39-43 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

This next scripture is critical to our salvation. Listen to what Jesus is saying. I never truly understood this until after the holy spirit enter me. We are the kernal of wheat.

23Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

We have to die to our self and live for the lord. The holy spirit told me to go and talk with my parents I can not explain it but

god has his ways of communicating to us through our conscious. I was not gonna write this letter but god spoke to me and said

you must tell people that its not our will but gods will. If you our a true follower of christ we must listen to all the sciptures not just one or two.

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 ¶ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

Think where you were in your faith 20 years ago, 10 years ago, how about 5 years ago? God has given me the greatest gift a man can receive the gift of the holy spirit I have been grafted in to eternal life if I dont go astray and keep my I focused on my savior. I would have been going straight to hell 5,10, or 20, years ago. I cry everytime I think about it. I was
so lost. We can not twist or sugar coat gods word it to something we want to hear we have to take everyword seriously this is where the fear of the lord comes in to play and wisdom begins. We must study the hole bible and understand god wants us to surreneder every fiber of our being to him. The holy spirit will not come into to a person until this happens. I
am living proof and I have a testomony now that makes me very bold in my statements I know what god truth is. People might say I am self rightous. God knows my heart and that is
what truly counts. He is using me to try to reach the lost. I am not the same person I used to be I am born again. We all must be born again to enter the kingdom of god.


Question: "What does it mean to be a born again Christian?"

Answer: What does it mean to be a born again Christian? The classic passage from the Bible that answers this question is John 3:1-21. The Lord Jesus Christ is talking to Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (a ruler of the Jews). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night. Nicodemus had questions to ask Jesus.

As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said "...Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again...." (John 3:3-7).

The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above." Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart--a spiritual transformation. New birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). John 1:12,13 indicates that "born again" also carries the idea "to become children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.

The question logically comes, "Why does a person need to be born again?" The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:1 says, "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins..." To the Romans in Romans 3:23, the Apostle wrote, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." So, a person needs to be born again in order to have their sins forgiven and have a relationship with God.

How does that come to be? Ephesians 2:8,9 states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast." When one is "saved," he/she has been born again, spiritually renewed, and is now a child of God by right of new birth. Trusting in Jesus Christ, the One who paid the penalty of sin when He died on the cross, is what it means to be "born again" spiritually. "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation..." (2 Corinthians 5:17a).

If you have never trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, will you consider the prompting of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to your heart? You need to be born again. Will you pray the prayer of repentance and become a new creation in Christ, today? "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe on His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13).

If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and be born again, here is a sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation. "God, I know that I have sinned against you and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness - the gift of eternal life! Amen!"

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

When you do these things I am telling you god will send his Holy spirit his comforter. This is what happened to me when I started to fear

The lord and walk in the light.

15"If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

23Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25"All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

The World Hates the Disciples

18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.'[b] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. 23He who hates me hates my Father as well. 24If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'[c]

26"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 27And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

Jesus Reinstates Peter

15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

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