what everyone said plus, because I have a trach I can't be submerged. So did my baptism mean nothing? No, it means the same
Brother David,
I want to share a beautiful truth with you. At the moment that you accepted JESUS CHRIST as your Saviour, you were also baptized by the Holy Spirit of GOD. The most beautiful part of this is the Holy Spirit of GOD entered your heart and sealed it forever as a pledge that you belong to JESUS for eternity. Nothing in the universe can break the SEAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, so no power can pluck you out of the Mighty Hands of GOD.
Brother David, Salvation is such a beautiful and precious purchase.
JESUS CHRIST paid it all on the CROSS, and those who trust HIM and accept HIM have actually been purchased - delivered from the curse of sin and death - and become a purchased possession of JESUS CHRIST. Your heart became a living temple for the Holy Spirit of GOD, and HE is with us every minute of every day as a comforter and guide. GOD knows those who belong to HIM because HE lives in their hearts. GOD has given you Living Water that is eternal, and that Living Water is JESUS CHRIST - your personal Lord and Saviour forever!_______________________
Ephesians 1:13 NASB In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 1:14 NASB who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:15 NASB For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,
Ephesians 1:16 NASB do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;
Ephesians 1:17 NASB that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Ephesians 1:18 NASB I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 1:19 NASB and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might
Ephesians 1:20 NASB which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 1:21 NASB far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:22 NASB And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,
Ephesians 1:23 NASB which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
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Titus 3:4 NASB But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
Titus 3:5 NASB He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:6 NASB whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Titus 3:7 NASB so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
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2 Timothy 1:12 NASB For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
2 Timothy 1:13 NASB Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:14 NASB Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
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Brother David, the moment you ask JESUS CHRIST to come into your heart and be your Lord and Saviour, all of the eternal Promises of GOD to HIS children were given to you right then. Those Promises are beautiful and precious beyond human comprehension. You have actually been adopted as a child of GOD, but you have been given a full inheritance with the Saints in LIGHT for eternity.
The LIGHT is JESUS CHRIST - you are not your own - you've been bought by the precious Blood of JESUS CHRIST on the CROSS - and you are now a member of a church not made with human hands - THE CHURCH WHICH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST. In short, you are already one of those Saints in LIGHT, and your eternal inheritance that has already been promised to you will be as a child of the KING OF KINGS!Brother David, you already have access to the Throne of GOD'S Grace 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You are talking to GOD when you pray, and you must also remember that the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD lives in your heart, so you are never alone. We will have trials and afflictions during this short life, but we must also remember that this world is not our home. Our citizenship is in Heaven with JESUS CHRIST for eternity. There won't be any pain or sorrow in Heaven, just joy and peace with JESUS CHRIST for eternity.
GOD will also give us a glorified body at HIS appointed time, and the Holy Bible tells us our body will be like the body of JESUS CHRIST. It's easy to see why the children of GOD have so many reasons to give thanks, praise HIM, and worship HIM.Love In Christ,
Tom
Colossians 1:13-14 NASB For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.