Welcome to the family...
First we would like to say "Welcome to the family of God". If you just accepted Jesus as your savior for the first time, or you rededicated your life to Him, it's time to get serious with God.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." At this moment you are brand new in the eyes of God. Your spirit that was dead because of sin is alive because you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and come into your heart. You have been born again!
Becoming a New Creation....
You can now move on with your life without being bound by your past. The Bible says in the book of Phillippians 3:13,14 "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (NKJV)
Forgetting what is behind you...
You too can forget what is behind you because Jesus has forgotten it already. Jesus died for you to be free from sin. It is now your responsibility to keep sin out of your life by not giving in to temptations. So what is sin?
What is sin?...
Think of it as anything Jesus would not do. Look at what the Word says in 1 Peter 2:21-25.
"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted himself to Him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness;by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (NIV)
Jesus knows what sin will do to you, that's why He laid down His life to save you.
Here are a few things sin will do...
1.Sin will enslave you
John 8:34 says, Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." (NIV)
2. Sin will destroy you
Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NIV)
3. Worst of all, sin will separate you from God
Isaiah 59:2 - "But your iniquities have separated you form your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." (NIV)
When you lived a sinful life you belonged to Satan. Now you belong to God. You must let go of the devils hand and take hold of God's
Time for some House Cleaning....
You must "break up" with the devil so-to-speak. It's time to get rid of everything that the devil brought into your life. It's time to do some spiritual house cleaning. You see, Jesus forgives your sins, but just like the adulterous woman in John chapter 8, Jesus said "go and sin no more". Whatever was causing you to sin has to go. You have to pour the alcohol out, flush the drugs, burn the pornography, clean up your computer, get rid of everything that would cause you to sin.
The Holy Spirit will lead you, just ask Him. Just pray this prayer...
"Father, in the Name of Jesus I ask that your Holy Spirit guide me to clean everything out of my life that doesn't please you. I want to honor you with my life. In Jesus Name, Amen."
Remember this, would I do this if Jesus was standing here with me? Well, He is doing more than standing with you. He is in you now.
There are a few things you need to do now that Jesus is Lord of your life.
1. Read your Bible
Start out reading the Gospel of John. It is the fourth book in the New Testament. You will find out about the love God has for you. Next read Ephesians, also in the New Testament. Then continue reading the New Testament.
2. Spend time in prayer
Prayer is just talking with God. He will listen if you talk to Him. Don't try to pray fancy prayers with thee and thou and such language, just talk to Him.
3. Find a local church to attend
If you live in the Bartow area, we would love to have you worship with us at Word of Life. If not, then seek out a church that preaches Jesus and believes the Bible.
4. Be baptized
Water baptism is necessary for your testimony of Jesus. It shows your death to the old man and resurrection to a new life in Christ.
5. Be filled with the Holy Spirit
There is a free gift besides salvation that comes from God. It is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Here are a scriptures that tell about this experience.
Luke 11:12,13 - If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (NIV)
Acts 1:7,8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (NIV)
Acts 2:1 - 4 - "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." (NIV)
6. Be a witness for Jesus
Use the script that is on this web site (How to Be Saved). Lead others to know Jesus.
7. Be a giver
If you want to blessed financially and be a part of spreading the Gospel you must be a giver. 10% of your income goes to God. Here what the Word says about giving.
Malachi 3:10 - 12 - "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,"says the LORD Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. (NIV)
Proverbs 3:9,10 - "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfurits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." (NIV)
Genesis 28:22 - "and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth." (NIV)
Luke 6:38 - "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (NIV)
8. Be a worshipper of God
Listen to music that glorifies God. If what you listen to doesn't glorify God, guess who it glorifies? So listen to music and sing along with it and worship the Father.
