I have to share some of the "meat" from this weekends message at our church. I know so many of you who have been Believers for awhile, or new to faith. I know it's so easy in our world today to loose touch with our relationship with God and be swept into the everyday ways of the world and loose that connection. Faith has many seasons and sometimes those seasons can be stormy or mostly cloudy, or sunny and warm. Not knowing what season many of you are in, God has put it in my heart to share some of my message notes from this weekend. Since I have volunteered to serve Saturday nights, I get the opportunity to listen to the worship service twice in a row. I took notes both services this time! :) I hope it will inspire you to examine what season you are in in your walk with Christ. And if you haven't decided to take the "walk", and haven't accepted the free gift of grace and forgiveness, I hope that this can serve as an inspiration to you. "So I'm a New Christian, Now What?"
First you have to acknowledge and recognize who you are now, (forgiven) and that you are new now in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" and YES! It really is THAT simple. Like Mark said, it just HAS to be! We alone could never pay for our own sin. Even a whole day in hell couldn't pay for one sin.
Understand that you are God's child now. His love is immeasurable for you. Acknowledge what HE has done for us.
2 Corinthians 5:19 - For God was IN Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation."
2 Corinthians 5:15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them." Where sin abounds, grace rebounds!
How to now grow that you are a Christian, and become a stronger one.
1. Nutrition: Feed yourself. Just as a newborn needs milk, so do you need the word of God to nourish your new found life. (1 Peter 2:2)
Take time to have a daily devotional time with your bible. Let go of the Blackberry for just that small time and make time for God's word.
2. Use the helpline: Pray. Prayer invites the super natural into our lives. Couldn't we all use a little supernatural in something in our life? Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."
3. Community: Find a believer's network. Connection with other believers for a source of help and encouragement. "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other." (Romans 12:4)
4. Worship: Find and experience "fandemonium". Let it all out to express the joy you now have in Christ. Worship brings us back to God and the word and centers us with Him again.
Psalm 92:4 "You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done!"
5. Do something: Get busy for God. Volunteer at your church, reach out to others who are in need. By just doing one small thing, you have become a part of what God is doing in their lives. Romans 12:6-8 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."
Take time to have a daily devotional time with your bible. Let go of the Blackberry for just that small time and make time for God's word.
2. Use the helpline: Pray. Prayer invites the super natural into our lives. Couldn't we all use a little supernatural in something in our life? Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."
3. Community: Find a believer's network. Connection with other believers for a source of help and encouragement. "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other." (Romans 12:4)
4. Worship: Find and experience "fandemonium". Let it all out to express the joy you now have in Christ. Worship brings us back to God and the word and centers us with Him again.
Psalm 92:4 "You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done!"
5. Do something: Get busy for God. Volunteer at your church, reach out to others who are in need. By just doing one small thing, you have become a part of what God is doing in their lives. Romans 12:6-8 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."
So regardless of where you are in your faith, take time to see where you can be the person God intended for you to be.
"for I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper, and not to harm you , to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
