Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Cor 5:17

May we offer a unique look at three different kinds of birthdays?  One doesn’t need to go too far to understand how sensitive that topic may be for some of us.  So, our first order of business is to remove all obstacles or sense of threat. Those who choose not to celebrate or acknowledge birthdays can still qualify to benefit from this message of hope. Whether you decide to or not will remain entirely in your control. All I ask is a chance to share a perspective from the heart.  Ready?

By calendar, we have a son who celebrated his 45th birthday on April 1 (no fooling) and a granddaughter who will celebrate her sweet 16^th this coming September 4^th.  They provide personal, yet simple examples of our first birthday category.  It also helps to make sure not to come across as pandering for a birthday gift for me. If you are still with me, then let’s go to the second kind of birthday…

All of us have given birth to a new or creative idea. Think of all the amazing projects you have accomplished. As with a natural birth, great concepts, plans, or projects originate with a seed thought that germinates and develops accordingly.  After reading this message, you’ll see a link at the bottom that sends you to a celebrated website that was born five years ago. While my heart’s desire is that you would be happy with it, I realize your thoughts about this “young baby” are entirely yours. Still there? Then please get ready for the third and most precious kind of birthday–one that comes with an undeserved gift!…

A few months ago marked twenty-one years since I stood before the Pacific Ocean and asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart as Lord and Savior of my life. For me, February 12, 2019 was my heart-felt birthday–the day I was born as a spiritual child into the Kingdom of God. Where is the gift in all this? In John 3:16, the Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Our gift is fully captured in God demonstrating His love for each of us by sending His Son to die on the cross for our sin. As an upcoming 73-year-old and former self-proclaimed atheist, I testify to you that I received this undeserved gift of new life on February 12, 1998.  If you haven’t already, you can receive it too. May God show Himself to you as the giver of all life and help you to choose to be spiritually reborn His way. (John Chapter 3 really explains this well.) What a joy it is to be able to send a message that has so much potential! Just imagine the sound in Heaven when the full chorus of angels have the opportunity to sing “Happy Birthday” on your behalf…

 Jn 3:6; 2 Cor 5:21; Rom 8:9-10; 1 Pet 1:23; Jn 1:13; 1 Pet 1:3

http://www.Lift-in-Love.org

Editor’s Note: I once heard a preacher say (leaving out the birthday of ideas and dreams) the following. “If you are born once, you’ll die twice; however, if you are born twice, you’ll die once.” Praise the Mighty King!