Now that you’ve been born again, it’s time for you to get up and get moving! You’ve got a calling and a commission from Christ, your Commander, to reach your world with the same gospel message that radically changed your life. (Mark 16:15-18)
While you’re going, you need to keep growing! You can’t share the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons if you’re weak, frail, and fearful. Practice the four important principles below, and you will become stronger and more fruitful every day as a disciple. You’re a soldier for Christ now! You’re a world-changer! Are you ready? Are you set? Then, let’s go!
- LET GOD TALK WITH YOU
The primary way God will communicate with you is through His Word. It is also the means by which He will manifest (reveal) Himself to you. The more of God’s Word you have in you, the more powerful and productive you will be in your Christian life. Hebrews 4;12 says, “For the Word that God speaks is alive, and full of power, making it active, operative, energizing and effective.”
God’s Word Nourishes You
1 Peter 2:2 – As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you might grow thereby.
Matthew 4:4, Amplified – Man shall not live, and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every Word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
God’s Word Changes You
Romans 12:2 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Your soul (mind, will, emotions) is transformed (literally, experiences a metamorphosis) as you meditate on the Word of God, allowing Holy Spirit to release God’s life-changing power within you.
God’s Word Builds Your Faith
Romans 10:17 – So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Jesus encountered and identified people with “no faith”, “little faith”, and “great faith”. Your faith level is up to you. The more you plant God’s Word in your heart, the stronger your faith will be, and the more of God’s power you will see!
God’s Word Trains and Equips You
2 Timothy 3:16 – All scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man (or woman) of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
- YOU TALK WITH GOD God wants to fellowship with you every day. He wants to have a personal conversation with you. He will speak to you through His Word, and He will listen patiently and compassionately as you speak to Him in prayer.
At first, you may be hesitant about how to approach Him, or you may struggle a little to know what to say to Him. Just remember who He is… your loving heavenly Father.
A good place to start is by lifting your hands to Him and thanking Him for the love, the mercy and the goodness He has shown to you through Jesus. Think about this: God has already given you His most precious gift (His only Son). You can be absolutely confident that He will freely and generously supply any other need you have as well. (Romans 8:32)
Now, express your love to your Father-God. Tell Him how awesome it is to talk with Him and walk with Him, knowing that He is always as close to you as the air that you breathe. Tell Him that you are thankful that He will never leave you, nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) and that you will always love and trust Him. Praising and worshipping Him like this will establish an intimate heart-to-heart connection with your Father.
Just a note of caution: Don’t let anything hinder or interfere with that connection!
Sin? Confess and forsake it (1 John 1:9)
Unforgiveness? Be reconciled (Mark 11:25)
Doubt? Increase your faith level (Romans 10:17)
Philippians 4:6,7, NLT
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
1 John 5:14, 15
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
- CONNECT WITH GOD’S PEOPLE
When you were born-again, you became one spirit with the Lord, and were made a part of the body of Christ, also known as the Church. Now, it’s time to find your place, and begin to function in a local church congregation, as a part of the whole.
As you begin to love and serve your brothers and sisters in Christ, you will receive the help, guidance, encouragement, support, love, and strength you need in the community of believers to which you are connected and committed.
Think of it this way: A single hot coal in a fireplace will quickly cool, if it is set aside, isolated from the other coals. But if it is placed in a pile in proximity with the others, it will burn more brightly, and keep its fiery heat much longer.
Hebrews 10:25, Passion Translation – This is not the time to pull away, and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward, as we anticipate that day dawning.
- HELP CONNECT PEOPLE WITH GOD
You’re coming full circle. You received God’s free gift of salvation. You’re growing as His child, being nourished by His Word, and growing stronger in faith everyday. You have an ever-deepening love relationship with Him through prayer, praise and worship. And you are connected with your church community through your commitment and service.
Now as Jesus’ disciple, you are called and commissioned to reach others, those who are still lost and wandering in the wilderness of sin and spiritual death. What can you do?
Be Baptized in Water
This simple act proclaims your new life in Christ, and your unwavering commitment to Him. It is a witness to those closest to you – family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors – of what God has done in your life. (Romans 6:3,4)
Be filled With God’s Spirit
Ask the Lord for the promise of His Spirit, filling you with His presence, and empowering you to be his witness. (Acts 1:8)
Love as Jesus Loved
Proclaim and demonstrate God’s goodness and mercy to those around you. (Matthew 10:7,8)
As a new Christian, you may not even know which book comes first in the Bible… Genesis or Revelation. It doesn’t matter at this point, because you already possess something compelling that Holy Spirit can use to bring others to Christ.
That powerful tool is your testimony, which is simply sharing what Jesus did personally for you. (Revelation 12:10,11)
When you share the story of your life-changing encounter with Jesus it can melt even the hardest of hearts:
“I was blind, but now I see!”
“I was bound, but now I’m free!”
“I was lost, but now I’m found!”
“I was spiritually dead, but now I live!”
Your testimony is compelling in its telling, so share it! When you lift Him up in your life-story, He draws people everywhere to Himself.
(John 12:32)
Father-God loves you and is so pleased with you! You bring joy to His heart! Your salvation and faithfulness have inspired an angelic celebration before God’s throne! (Luke 15:10)
Be blessed in your walk with Him today!
His Heart, My Home 