Have you ever asked yourself - if I were to die today, what would happen? As the saying goes, two things we can't change in life is death and taxes, some day we all will die. The most important decision in life that we will ever face is our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Man Needs A Savior
Jesus Christ is the only way of Salvation
How we can receive Christ as our Savior
If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, say this suggested prayer and mean it. The exact words you say don't matter as much as what is in your heart. God knows what is in your heart.
The one thing that separates us from God is sin, and we all have sinned.Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; and 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Some of us have sinned more than others, it doesn't matter what we have done, James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all. Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin. Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimsto
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. and Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. 1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
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"Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my heart and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be." |
Did you say that prayer or one like it, and mean it? Then this is what happened! Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. He will never leave you - Hebrews 13:5 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Now That You Have Received Christ
The moment that you received Christ by faith, as an act of the will, many things happened, including the following:
1. Christ came into your life Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
2. Your sins were forgiven Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins:
3. You became a child of God John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
4. You received eternal life John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
5. You began the great adventure for which God created you John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Can you think of anything more wonderful that could happen to you than receiving Christ? Take a minute to thank Him for what he has done. By doing this, you demonstrate your faith. Now that you have accepted Christ, this is just the beginning, you now have a new life!
Suggestions for Christian Growth
Colossians 2:6 "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him:" Romans 1:17 "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." A life of faith will enable you to trust God increasingly with every detail of your life, and to practice the following:
-Go to God in prayer daily
John 15:7 "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
-Read God's Word daily
2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The Gospel of John is a very good place to start.
-Obey God moment by moment
This is not as hard as it may initially seem, remember, Jesus will be there to help you and equip you. John 14:21 "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
-Witness for Christ by your life and words
Matthew 4:19 "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men". John 15:8 "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
-Trust God for every detail of your life
1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
-Allow the Holy Spirit to control and empower your daily life and witness
Galatians 5:16-17 "[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
-Fellowship in a Good Church
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Several logs burn brightly together; but put one aside on the cold hearth and the fire goes out. So it is with your relationship with other Christians. If you do not belong to a church, do not wait to be invited. Take the initiative; call the pastor of a nearby church where Christ is honored and His Word is preached. Start this week, and make plans to attend regularly.
If you have decided today to follow Christ then I would really encourage you to contact my Pastor, Joey Baysinger at Desert Harvest SBC. He can help you start out in your new life with Christ. He can help you find a church, start praying and reading the Bible as well as give you the opportunity to meet others that have discovered the good news about Jesus.