Pray Daily – JOHN 14:13 “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son”. Talk with God often; talk over your problems with Him. Let Him bear the weight of your troubles, remembering to count on the promise of Jesus found in this verse.
Praise God for who He is and thank Him for what He has done for you. Admit your weaknesses, name your sins, confess to God anything that displeases Him, and ask forgiveness. Pray for others that they, too, will receive Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Learn to Depend on the Holy Spirit – JOHN 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you”. God has given us the Holy Spirit to guard us day by day in this life. He will teach us, guide us, and strengthen us in times of need.
Attend Church Regularly (not just any Church but one that preaches the Gospel and believes the Bible is the true Word of God) – JOHN 15:1-5 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing”. When you received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you were joined to the living Christ, but also in a unique way to all Christians. You became a part of the “Body of Christ,” joined to Him as branches are joined to a tree.
Going to church now will be a new experience for you. You will sense a new dimension in your life. You will grow in understanding by hearing God’s Word preached and taught. You can ask questions and discuss Scripture with others. You will feel a deep bond with other Christians as you worship together. .
Be of Service to Others – JOHN 13:14-15 “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you”. To serve Jesus Christ means serving others. The more you give yourself in serving others, the more you will enjoy your Christian life. Talk to your pastor about ways you can serve Christ and witness for Him in your church and in your community.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (EPHESIANS 2:10)
Learn to Conquer Your Doubts – JOHN 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” At times you may doubt that you are a child of God. Satan will point to failures, or disturbing thoughts, or some unconfessed sin in your life. It is important to remember that you are not saved by your goodness but by what Christ has already done for you.
In times of doubt, review the steps you took on Becoming a Christian, found in this Gospel of John. Reassure yourself with the fact that because you received Christ by faith, based on God’s Word, you are now a child of God.
Learn to Have Peace of Mind – JOHN 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Our lives are often filled with anxiety because we worry about possible problems tomorrow. We cross many bridges before ever coming to them.
The Bible says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (MATTHEW 6:33-34).
Along with this wonderful truth is a promise God makes which should greatly encourage our hearts; “As your days, so shall your strength be” (DEUTERONOMY 33:25). So learn to live one day at a time, and believe that God will help you meet each day’s demands.
Learn the Blessing of Suffering – JOHN 16:22 “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” Difficulties, ill health – suffering of all kinds – have a new perspective when Christ comes into your life. You needn’t go to pieces; you can be strong. You needn’t be a problem to others; you can be a blessing. As you experience God’s power, comfort, and strength through life’s difficulties, you will grow in your knowledge of Him and learn to trust Him more fully.
Learn How to Meet Temptation – JOHN 17:15 “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” Temptation is a part of life. It existed before you received Christ and will continue to exist. To be tempted with wrong thoughts is not sin, but to harbor them is.
Jesus met temptation in the Spirit’s strength and from God’s point of view. When Satan tempted Him in the wilderness, Jesus responded by quoting Scripture. Three times
He said, “It is written. . .” (MATTHEW 4:4, 7, 10). So be prepared to meet your times of temptation through regular prayer, a growing knowledge of God’s Word, and the Holy Spirit’s power.
The Bible promises that “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able; but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 CORINTHIANS 10:13). Your “way of escape” may be to “flee these things and pursue righteousness” (1 TIMOTHY 6:11) or to “resist the devil and he will flee from you” (JAMES 4:7).
Be a Witnessing Christian – JOHN 4:35-36 “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” Sharing your new life in Christ by words and actions can be one of the most satisfying and exciting experiences you have ever had. The apostle Peter encourages us to “be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 PETER 3:15).
Jesus said that many people are ready (white for harvest) to receive the good news of His love and salvation. It is our privilege and responsibility to find those people and share the Gospel with them.
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