Dear Friend,
Your experience is much like the experience Paul had. If you dont already know his story, you should read about him in Acts. His name used to be Saul. He contributed to many of the deaths of those that followed Jesus. One day, the Lord appeared to him and put scales over his eyes so he could not see then sent him to Ananias who was a Holy Spirit filled man. He was one of the elect. Now heres where it gets interesting,
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Here we see Saul, a murderer of those that followed Christ, received the Holy Ghost and was baptized and became a follower himself. Thus his name became Paul.
We see this same born again experience that Paul had in the Book of John:
John 3:3:
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:5:
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of WATER and of the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
You were absolutely correct when you said that Jesus is not just a religion, but is alive! Even more so, Jesus is not a religion, but he IS LIFE for those who want him.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
You are also right when you said that now is the time for salvation:
Romans 13:11
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Does this sound familiar to your experience? NOW is the time for that born again experience.
John 3:5:
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of WATER and of the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Once that happens, some totally amazing things happen. The Lord will lead you in a more personal, more intimate way. Theres no more guess work about what God wants for YOU. Hell tell you even as Paul after his born again experience didnt have to guess where he should be and what he should do. He was lead by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said in John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Not only will the Holy Spirit lead you into ALL truth, it will show you the very deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2:10
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
With the Holy Spirit you will also be endued with power.
Luke 24:49
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you
Jesus spoke of this power in some of his last words just before he ascended after being resurrected.
16 He that believeth and is baptized (As Jesus said earlier baptized of WATER and SPIRIT) shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
My friend, I have whole studies on these things and myself having had experienced the same thing Paul and countless others experienced, can share them with you. If you or anyone else would like to know more, feel free to message me. I prefer private messages even as our Lord desires to have that personal one on one with us.
FloatingIce
