After being Saved what next? My personal experience

Life after you´re saved. What´s it like? This is a "been there and got the T shirt" style article. So what happens after being Saved, what next?

This is not an article about Being Saved as in the process or a Testimony see my Testimonial. This is not an article about the question whether you are saved or not, see How do you know you are saved. This is an article on Post Saved, the journey after you are Saved, what´s it like from a personal perspective. How you feel, how you see yourself, your expectations of life, how other people see you, the internal changes, what you get given, the problems, the gifts, what you see, and a host of other things that go along with being "Born Again" or "Saved"

This is probably more aimed at Believers rather than Non Believers, but can be read by either, but be warned if you are a Non Believer..........you´re going to need an open mind. Certainly if you don´t believe the Bible, you will not believe any of this. This is not a blueprint or template for the act of being Born Again, each case will be different, some happen quick, others more slowly, some people get a slight nudge in the right direction others (like myself) need a much more violent and radical reboot to achieve the same effect.....the end result though regardless of the process and journey will be the same....you become a servant and messenger of God....a Born Again Christian.

What is the Holy Spirit. My attempt to explain what it is?



First off the picture from this article and how it came about, it´s important as it´s how this whole article came about. Was in a Supermarket (Morrisons) the other week and normally the music is your A Typical supermarket blandness then on came this song a clubby Ibiza style number from way back in 2001 called "Another Chance" by Roger Sanchez. Memories came flooding back (songs do that don´t they) and a semi bop mode came over the normally painfully dull supermarket experience. Left the store with a smile on the face and didn´t think any more of it.

A couple of days later, tried to remember the music video for the song, couldn´t remember it. Did a search on You Tube hit play and straight away the memories came flooding back. Watched it, watched it again and the thought came into the head, there´s something very Christian about this video, it would make a good backdrop for an article at The Twelve Gates............but what. Pondered this for a couple more days and a light bulb went off "This video is a good explanation for what it is like to be saved". Why not write an article about that and weave this music video into it to give some sort of idea to the less well informed what it´s actually like.



Lyrics
If I had another chance tonight
I'd try to tell you that the things
We had were right [Repeat: x 2]

If I had another chance tonight

The song itself "Another Chance" is a typical repetitive club number, but it´s catchy, hard to get out of your head and the title is very relevant to the Christian faith as in being "Born Again" or "Saved". Why? You get given this big heart and a bright light, you feel amazing, free and happy and you want to share this with the world, but not everybody shares your views or wants to hear them, and this video demonstrates that very clearly. You hit a point where you realise you are not like you were before, you go through a realisation phase (the small heart phase) then you enter the next realisation phase that you have been given this "THING", you´re not the same as everybody else and you have to get on with life, do what you have to do and be this new person, carry this big heart around, don´t be ashamed of it, shine your light and relish the gift you have been given. You then realise you will never be 100% accepted by the world (I call non believers The Grey´s) and do what you have to do.

Introduction
To delve deeper into the Born Again life here´s a quote from a typical End Times Video about The Times of Noah and the fact these times are here again it´s by Barney Winner 5 at You Tube. and reading it now it still brings a tear to eye.
This needs to be read to adjust your mind for what is to follow, it sets the tone as this is not your normal everyday sort of read.


Remember you are washed by the Blood of the Lamb. You are.
You are washed by the blood of the lamb.
You did not come to Jesus on your own.
The father sent you to Christ.
You acknowledged that call that the father had on your life.
And you said YES.
So yes, you´re struggling , Yes, you´re striving.
But you belong to Christ.
You do not belong to the fallen Angels

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.

Post Testimony
I was "Saved" or "Born Again" on 6 October 2015 which at the time of writing is almost ten months ago. Strange things led to that night (See Testimony) and strange things have continued to happen after the event but I no longer consider them strange, it´s just how God works. The saying "God works in mysterious ways" is something quoted by many including myself, but that quote isn´t actually in the Bible, it´s from a hymn. For those who have the spirit will know that more to the point and the correct term would be "God works in the way that the "Word" says he works".

Old Testament quote from Isaiah 55:8-9.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the Lord.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."

In short the journey you embark on to reach the final destination leads you to become a Holy Spirit filled Believer. You will find Spirit knows Spirit. One can talk to another without feeling uncomfortable or awkward, whereas normal people will feel uncomfortable, or think you´re a bit odd or eccentric or you´ve lost your marbles. You leave the old person behind and become this new creation. There is no urge to go back to that old person, many destroy what remnants there was of their past, some leave bits and pieces lying around just to remind themselves what they used to be like. I´m in the latter category. Being Born Again varies from person to person, it´s not a hard drive wipe and installation of a new operating system, some changes are more dramatic and quick, others more subtle and slow. Again this varies from person to person


From what limited conversations I have had with other Born Again Believers or what limited stuff I´ve seen online the following observations are common.
1. No one will believe your story, only True Believers
2. Become like a child and you gain a new father as in God
3. Feel others pain and suffering (circumcised heart)
4. Get an overpowering urge to help others that are struggling in life
5. Get an overpowering urge to go to Church
6. Get an overpowering urge to read The Bible
7. Get an overpowering urge to pray
8. Feel an overwhelming sense of peace
9. Become a lover of people regardless of who they are
10. Live the simple Life not interested in the World and it´s material bias
11. You pursue more spirtual objectives in life
12. Discernment: Ability to see others who have the Spirit. There are not many
13. Sin is something you avoid, if you do sin (and you will but not as much) you have an overpowering urge to Repent

From my personal experience and the following observations have been made
1. Weird things happening, weird conversations with people I wouldn´t normally meet prior to being Saved
2. You see the glaringly obvious difference between right and wrong and think "No I can´t do that" .If you do, you will feel terrible afterwards and you will not do it again.
3. Some people report seeing the world differently like the colours are brighter. Myself that didn´t happen but my taste buds have changed. Used to have an incredibly sweet tooth at addiction levels, now struggle to eat a fruit yoghurt, find it way too sweet. Used to live off takeaways, now hardly touch them. Haven´t had my favourite Chicken Cottage for nearly 10 months now. Not once!
4. For some reason don´t seem to watch much TV these days, have no interest in it apart from the news.
5. The hair trigger temper has gone, haven´t lost my temper in 10 months
6. You are aware you are carrying a light, do get looks a lot these days (even in Central London), but you are also aware you cannot turn down this light or hide it.
7. Do cry more than I used to in the most bizarre situations.
8. Way more patience with everything these days and slowed down instead of what one customer said to me before I was Saved in a Supermarket once who called me a "Damned Motorway shopper"
9. Not really interested or bothered with the Self anymore, more interested in other people and putting them first.
10. You will be guided to places which you have n oreason why you aregoing there but when you get there the reason is abundantly clear.

This list could reach a hundred but you get the idea from 10.

The Gifts
When you are Born Again or Saved the Spiritual Gifts will include one or more of the following, 1) Wisdom, 2) knowledge, 3) faith, 4) healing, 5) working miracles, 6) prophecy, 7) distinguishing between spirits, 8) speaking diverse tongues, 9) interpretation of tongues and other matters , 10) teaching, 11) encouraging, 12) giving, 13) serving, 14) leading, 15) showing mercy, 16) evangelism, 17) pastoring, 18) prophet (Ephesians 4: 11-14), 19) helping others, and 20) administration. Spiritual gifts equip an individual to do tasks beyond what is naturally conceivable.

Out of that list I would say personally I have Wisdom, Knowledge (in a very sort period of time) obviously Faith, some Prophecy, definetly distinguishing between Spirits, teaching, encouraging, definetly giving, definetly serving and leading, showing mercy and forgiveness and helping others. I wouldn´t class myself as an Evangelist, Pastor or Prophet. Not yet anyway. I can´t speak in tongues although I haven´t tried and don´t have the gift of healing (haven´t tried that either).

Answered Prayers.
I would say that is the biggest test whether you are Born Again or not and that is are you in touch with the Lord and are your prayers getting answered. Prayers I find may get answered quickly or they could take months or longer but they should be answered. Some people say they hear God, others say they see signs, others something else, it works differently for different people but you will get some form of communication in one way or another, something that cannot be denied. I have heard the Lordś voice twice, once quietly and one very distinctly on Christmas Day last year in a church that I´ve never been to in my life that I found in the middle of nowhere that I felt strangely led to, that was open and empty. I remember having tears streaming down my face and I heard him, nobody else was there and my question was answered. The question was asked in a silent prayer! I have to say it freaked me out but I´ve heard nothing since but these days there is always an unmistakable sign, always.

Following the Spirit
The spirit will lead you away from darkness and always towards the light, it´s an inner voice thing you receive, that non believers do not have. You see things that other people cannot see, you sense things other people cannot sense and you see danger where others see no danger. Certain things will pop out at you for no apparent reason, could be something you are reading, something online, something you see as you walk down the road, something in the news or in a newspaper and you will realise it has some importance. It may not be immediately apparent but it becomes apparent within a time frame and you act upon it. I use it when I´m trying to find True Believers on line, they probably do the same thing. A sort of seperating the wheat from the chaff. You´re not judging somebody from their outward appearance or their personality or mannerisms or what brand of designer shades they are wearing, you are judging them by what is coming out of their mouth and what they are saying in written form. You are judging what´s on the inside not the externals.

Any major events in life or even minor ones, the Spirit has been used every time and it shows me without fail which way to go, what to do and when and how and why.

Views on Born Again types in society.
Non Believers: May believe you but deep down they don´t and probably think you need some sort of therapy. Others react in a shocked way but still think you are bonkers. Others will react and say "Oh.... that´s nice" and maybe just the odd one may start to show some interest and ask questions. Always the potential signs of someone possibly starting that journey to becoming a believer themselves.
Believers: There are different sorts of Believers out there, but even many of these who sort of believe will take what you say with a pinch of salt. Some will think you are strange, or think you have the opinion of yourself that you are something special and more Christian than the rest. Some get envious (not a Christian Trait), others who I call True Believers, will have what you have, see you have it as well and see you as a Brother or Sister and shake your hand looking deep in your eyes or give you a hug. As I´ve found online and in the world at large, these types are very few and far between.
Churches: From my personal experience, the Institional Church without a shadow of a doubt does not like Born Again or Saved types and I´m talking the real deal here not the "little prayer" types. I think they see you not as a "True Believer" but somebody that is operating outside the Church or using the Church but bypassing the Institution which in their eyes is Heresy. They also realise and don´t like to admit it that you have something they don´t have, you have a presence, they realise you don´t really need a Church (although it is important) to lead you in your spiritual affairs. You are led by the Spirit and The Father. They also realise that you could be a disruptive influence amongst other church goers and are a threat to their authority. It´s a tricky situation to be in. My attitude these days when it comes to anything involving Institutional Religion is keep quiet, do what is expected of you, be polite and leave and return the following Sunday.

People I follow Online.
I use You Tube a lot not only for The Twelve Gates website content and articles but also for my personal viewing. It´s difficult to find a True Believer on this plaform, some are blatantly not Christian but just playing at it, some do what I call "put the Christian Coat on" and look the part but as soon as they open their mouths you know these are just normal people with you guessed it a "Christian Coat On". I currently follow two "Sisters", one is married with two kids the other is a bit younger and a bit more hip but she talks the talk but also walks the walk. The videos they produce are basic, sometimes sitting in a basement with boilers going, other times in their cars but it´s what they say is what matters. One we pray together at the end, another she sometimes start crying about her experiences she´s had with helping needy people. It´s powerful stuff and I would say on many occassions better than what I hear in Church. I will not give these women´s names out or their channel names, I think it´s best to cultivate and find your own but if you are in the faith you need to find people to learn things that maybe you were not aware of but always check them out, otherwise more harm than good is done. I used to follow a few Pastors on Twitter but recently deleted most of them, (something the Spirit told me to do), I now just follow a Nun and some general Christian News websites.


Changes in my Life
This is not a trumpet blow, but just a contrast to illustrate the power of being "Born Again" My old life condensed down in a nutshell.

My Old Self:
Occupation: Celebrity Photographer and Celebrity Photo Sales. photographing the rich and famous within the London area
Character: Aggressive, short tempered, go getter, impatient, ladies man, cold and no heart, loud, selfish and self centred but it has to be said a Creative Type
Food: Junk Food and Massive Quantities of anything with Sugar
Website: Famefad.com (still out there as a reminder of my old self)
Church: No
Bible Reading: No way
Prayer: You can´t be serious?


The Born Again:
Occupation: Book of Revelation and End Times News Website Founder and Author
Character: Patient, Calm, Caring, Big Heart, Put others first, Humble, Quieter
Food: Healthy non processed non fast and REAL food. Not a fan of Sugar not even in Tea.

What´s my typical day and week
Church Monday to Friday in Central London
Saturday Day off
Sunday Church Hertfordshire Where I Live

Prayer Psalms First Thing in the Morning. Psalms and Personal Prayer in Church (except Saturday just Psalms Morning and Evening). Psalms before I go to bed
Study the Bible At least 1 Chapter everyday, sometimes more, except Saturday Day Off.

Websites:
Running of this The Twelve Gates website and associated Social Media (Twitter) and You Tube Channel. Monday - Friday. Weekends off
London Homeless: Recently launched on 1 August 2016 a website to help the homeless in London called London Homeless. This will become part of a wider program to raise awareness of the issue of Homelessness in London and provide help and information to those who are homeless in London or living rough.

Looking to help more in the community especially with the Homeless. Also other things I have hadpersonal experience with before being saved such as Family Problems, Suicide and Financial Problems amongst others. It´s only been ten months, when I´m ready the Lord will let me know what to do. I feel strongly a Ministry is some way down the line, again that´s not for me to decide but the powers that be.

Summary
This is really just skimming the surface of what it´s like to be "Born Again" or "Saved" but it gives a good idea, what it´s like living as you are in the real world. A lot of the weirder stuff has been left out but all True Believers will have similar stories. The Roger Sanchez "Another Chance" video sums it up superbly. Do not expect to be welcomed with open arms by everybody. I didn´t mention demonic attacks (I´ve had them, they have and will happen), if you are in the same job at work after being "Born Again" people will look at you differently, so will your family and friends and other half. Churches will look at you differently from the rest of the congregation and so will the congregation. So will the World. That´s the negatives.

There are many positives, firstly you have something that trust me not many people have, it´s liberating and freeing, you will crave to be with other True believers and crave to get closer to God through Prayer and Fasting (didn´t mention Fasting either). You will not worry about what direction you are heading in life, these will be revealed to you over time and your direction will be taken care of by the powers that be. You will have many questions but you will always find and get answers. You will have a peace that you never felt before and will be able to cut through the fog of confusion that hangs in our world and get straight to the truth every time.

For me I feel I´ve gone through the narrow gate and I am on the narrow path, if I stray off that path I´m on a dog leash and brought back in line, but it´s a spiritual leash not a physical one. It also feels like I´m one of those Shire Horses and given a plough and a field and told to find some seeds and plough that field in your own good time. You are conscious of "The Eye" and "the Tongue" and watch these constantly. You will also be aware of the term "Let it Go" especially when it comes to arguments. You will have enemies but their efforts will come to nothing and they will be silenced.

Can you lose your Salvation and be Unborn Again. In my experience, I think you get this thing and there is no going back.....ever!

Finally here´s some advice if you are the on the narrow path or narrow way to being "Saved" or "Born Again" or have recently said "Yes".

Advice
All the signs and wonders that you see, you must keep to yourself.
Follow the Spirit no matter what. Do not follow the flesh
If you say "Yes" make sure that you are 100% sure, but if you are in that situation you will know with every cell of your body... make no mistake.
You must realise you have been chosen, but you will have an important job to do, but you will be given all the tools to do that job.
You live in the world but you cannot be part of it.



Bible Quotes:

Matthew 7:13-14
13. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

I John 2:3-4
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight" (1 John 3:22)

1 John 2:15
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (

1 John 3:14
"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death"

John 8:31
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, *IF* ye continue in my word, *THEN* are ye my disciples indeed;

John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Job 28:23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

James 4:8-10 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

1 John 4:13
Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit"