A New Beginning

When you prayed to receive Christ into your heart, you made a choice to give your life to Him—to trust in His plan of salvation, rather than a man-made one:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. - (John 3:16-17)

But what does it mean to become a Christian, a believer? Some people think you can be a Christian and go to Heaven by going to church or being a good person. The Bible, on the other hand, points to only one way.

One phrase to describe this new relationship is born again. Jesus was the first person recorded who used those words. While speaking with one of the religious leaders, He said:

Unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. - (John 3:3)

One phrase to describe this new relationship is born again. You are born again when you:

• Acknowledge your need of Jesus Christ as your Savior.
• Turn away from sin (inner rebelliousness toward God) and sins (what you do that hurts God, yourself or others),
• Accept Christ’s sacrifice on the cross as final and full payment for your sin and
• Invite Jesus Christ to live within your heart as Lord and Savior.

When you do these things, a miracle happens: You Are Born Again. Your adventure as a Christian believer has begun.

It is important to know that your new walk is not an empty religion of rules and requirements; it is a personal relationship with God:

Here I am! I stare at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat (fellowship) with him, and he with me.
- (Revelation 3:20)

Your relationship with God is not because you are good enough, but available only because of what Christ did on the cross for you:

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved by God’s wrath through Him! For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!
- (Romans 5:8-10)

God has a whole new life for you. He has forgiven your past and has prepared a future filled with love and light. And it is just beginning!

Just as food is vital to your physical body, God’s Word is the spiritual nourishment that will help you grow stronger. Reading and obeying God’s Word will set you free from hurtful habits and guide your Christian life.

Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path. - (Psalms 119:105)

The Bible is not just a humanly-produced document, but the inspired Word of God:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. - (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Since God’s Word is His love letter and roadmap to successful living, you should set time aside every day to God’s Word. Start out the New Testament, preferably with John, Mark, Acts and Romans. Just by devoting 15 minutes daily, you can read the entire Bible in one year.

Some of the new translations – The New King James Version, The New International Version and The New American Standard Version – and paraphrases, such as The Living Bible, can he very helpful.

A notebook and Bible dictionary can be useful. Your notebook will help record the lessons you learn from your studies. The dictionary is a useful tool to increase your knowledge of Biblical information.

As you continue on your Christian journey, you will find that there are older translations and newer translations of the Holy Bible. We recommend the NIV (New International Version) which many find is easier to read and understand than older translations.

Here is a link to a website that may also help you:

Prayer is simply talking with God as your loving, heavenly Father, God delights in answering your prayers, Jesus said:

Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. - (John 16:22-24)

A key to fruitful prayer life is abiding in Jesus and His word:

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. - (John 15:4)

Prayer should be a two-way communication between you and God. It is you talking to God and listening to Him as He responds to you.

Local church attendance is not only a good commitment to make, it is necessary for spiritual survival:

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another... - (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Jesus established the church to be his instrument of Christian care, spiritual growth and outreach to the world. As you grow as a Christian, your gifts and talents will be much needed in the church; likewise, you will be blessed by the encouragement and mentorship through your association with others.

Giving is not a financial issue; it is a matter of obedience and Lordship. The tithe is a tenth of your income. God directs Christians to bring the tithe and offering (gifts beyond the tithe) to the local church:

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be enough to receive it.” - (Malachi 3:10)

God will bless your obedience by giving back to you in health, prosperity, and security. So give cheerfully and expectantly of God’s blessings.

God wants you to share with others what He has done for you. It doesn’t matter that you are just beginning your walk with the Lord; you just need to know enough to lead someone to Jesus as you have come to Him. Note that the emphasis should be on sharing, not preaching, lecturing, arguing, or debating. Friendship evangelism is the key.

Just remember that your willingness to share Christ with others can make all the difference for them, not just during this life but also throughout eternity.

You will find that the greatest thrill of serving God is through leading others to Christ! Success in life—either as a Christian or as a business person—is built on a combination of dreams and disciplines. The dreams are what you want and the disciplines are how to get them.

Since one of God’s greatest desires is an intimate relationship with His children, your most important priority should be to grow in your day-to-day walk with Jesus Christ.

...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. - (Philippians 1:6)

God loves you. He will help you, lead you, and prepare you for an eternity with Him in Heaven.

The adventure has begun.