Resources for New Believers

And now these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love. 

1 Corinthians 13:13

Are you a new believer in Christ Jesus and not sure where to go from here? Do you have a desire to build a relationship with God and get to know more about your Bible and Jesus Christ, but feel overwhelmed when you pick up your Bible and start to read?

When I first became a believer and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, that's how I felt, a bit overwhelmed. I didn't grow up in a Christian home, or have much background at all to build on, so basically I was like a little child who knew very little about God. On several occasions I picked up my Bible and started to read from Genesis 1:1, but it seemed so overwhelming and I didn't follow through.

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 

Daniel 9:9

Let me tell you, there are better ways and much more enjoyable ways to grow in your faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

If you aren't much of a reader (I wasn't a reader when I made a committment to get to know Christ) I can encourage you by saying that it is true what they say, "The more you learn about God, the more you want to learn about God." I found that to be very true for me.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  Ephesians 1:7

I found a good book to read on the subject of growing closer to God and it got me pumped. I got another book by the same author and got even more excited, then I became so hungry to learn more and more that I just reading and even though I had never been much of a reader prior to this, I came to a point where I just could'nt get enough. I was devouring books and learning like crazy and with each book, I became more excited and confident in who God is and who I am through Christ.

I have several favorite authors and books that I would like to recommend for a new believer. I'm sure if you can bring yourself to read one of these books, it will fuel a flame within you and hopefully, like I did, you will want to continue reading and learning. Of course nothing can replace the Bible, or begin to do it justice.  But for me I found it easier to read other books first which got me excited about learning more and it was a natural progressing into my bible.  As I read the books, I would come across the passage and look it up in the Bible, but instead of reading just that passage, I'd read the whole chapter, and my knowledge began to grow as did my desire to spend time in my Bible.

To view a few of my favorites and get you started, click here.

After you have read a couple of these books, I'd like to introduce to you the idea of Journaling. Journaling is a great way and one of the best ways I have found to study the bible.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (New Living Translation)

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

I would also suggest that you start changing what you listen to on your radio and car stereo. Find a good Christian radio station and the music is great and encouraging. It's a great way to get your day started on the way to work. You will find that your spirits will be lifted and you will be in a great mood. I personally like K-Love. They broadcast almost everywhere. You can log onto their website at http://www.klove.com/ and find their broadcast station in your area.


As we read God's words, we begin to see how God responds to things. Doing daily devotions re-patterns the way we think and transforms the spirit of the mind. Then when we face similar situations as Jesus did, we begin to respond in the same way.

If you or a loved one still aren't sure that God is for real, I recommend you read "More than a Carpenter," by Josh McDowell:

Journaling - Life Journal takes you through the Old Testament Once and the New Testament Twice

Journaling is an excellent way to both record and process what God has spoken to us. It's also a useful tool to use at a later time, to reflect on and review some of the 'gems' that you have received.
Without writing them down, you may forget those blessings and some very important lessons! And while journaling is a very personal time with the Lord, you may want to share some of your daily journaling with your small group or mentors. Through discussion, you may be able to look deeper into what God is speaking to you, gain new insight and even encourage others.

Life Journaling Using the Soap Format:

S for Scripture
Open your Bible to the reading found under today's date of your Bible bookmark. Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you that day, and write it in your journal.

O for Observation
What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own words, in your journal.

A for Application
Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today.

P for Prayer
This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out.

Wayne Cordeiro wrote a great book called "Divine Mentor". I suggest reading this book prior to starting your Journaling. Divine Mentor, The: Growing Your Faith as You Sit at the Feet of the Savior

If Journaling seems a little overwhelming, take it slow and keep it simple. No matter how you decide to do your devotions, the important thing is to show up for your daily appointment, because God is always waiting for you.

You can order your own Life Journal here:  http://store.lifejournal.cc/classiclifejournal-blue.aspx


What is Salvation?

Many people think that in order to have eternal life in heaven they have to go to church every week, read their bible daily and live a clean, sin free life. Then there’s the other group of people who feel they can earn their way to heaven if they are good people who don’t lie, cheat, steal, murder, or rape, they will go to heaven.

As I understand it, these are both false beliefs and I would like to share the truth as I understand. You cannot earn your way into heaven by good works. It’s very simple to guarantee eternal life in heaven and this is my understanding.

1. God Loves You!

The Bible says, "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life"
The problem is that . . .

2. All of us have done, said or thought things that are wrong. This is called sin, and our sins have separated us from God.

The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God is perfect and holy, and our sins separate us from God forever. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death.”
The good news is that, about 2,000 years ago,

3. God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.

Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”

Jesus rose from the dead and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers us the gift of eternal life -- of living forever with Him in heaven if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior.

Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me."
God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name." You can choose to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and come in to your life as your Lord and Savior.

4. If you want to accept Christ as Savior and turn from your sins, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this:

"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always."

By praying this Prayer, the Bible say's you've been Born Again.

What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?

This term first appears in the Bible in John chapter three...

"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." -John 3:1-7

To understand this Biblical term, it is necessary to understand that there are TWO BIRTHS. The "first" birth is the PHYSICAL BIRTH when you were born into this world from your mother and father. When the Bible speaks of being "born of water," it is speaking about the physical birth (NOT baptism). The "second" birth is a SPIRITUAL BIRTH, which means to be born of the "Spirit" (God's Holy Spirit). This raises a couple of questions: Why does a person need to be born spiritually?...and, What is a "spiritual" birth?

The Bible teaches that man is created in the image of God. God manifests Himself to mankind in the Persons of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Likewise, mankind is composed of a body, soul, and spirit. Our body is the "tent" you could say of the soul and spirit (the body is a temporary dwelling place). Our soul is composed of the heart (to feel), the mind (to think), and the will (to decide). Our spirit is dead in sin when we are born; that is, we are born void of God. No person is ever born with God. The only exception is the Lord Jesus Christ Who came as God in the flesh (1st Timothy 3:16).

The unsaved person cannot understand God...

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." -1st Corinthians 2:14

The reason why you need to be "spiritually" born is because you have never been spiritually born to begin with. So when the Bible speaks of being "born again," it actually means "born for the second time."

You were born physically into this world, but you were born without the Spirit of God in your soul (spiritually dead).

Yes, God created you, but He gave you a freewill to decide for yourself where you will spend eternity.

God never forces anyone to accept Christ as their Savior, He simply offers a warm invitation to anyone who wants to have their sins forgiven and go to Heaven.

Salvation is a free gift (Romans 5:15), paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1st Peter 1:18,19). We must accept God's gift of eternal life or it WILL be forever forfeited when we leave this world (die).

To be "spiritually" born means that God's Holy Spirit "quickens" (or makes alive) your dead spirit. When you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, trusting Him alone to forgive all your sins--then God the Father and God the Son come into your heart in the form of God the Holy Spirit (John 14:23). The "Holy Spirit" is "God within us."

I have God living in my soul the Holy Spirit of God. I am not God, but I have God living in my body. The Godhead indwells every believer. The Holy Spirit of God guides me, comforts me, teaches me, rebukes me, chastises me, convicts me, encourages me, empowers me, loves me, strengthens me, and so much more.

The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to do these things. This is why it is critically important for every believer to live in their Bible (and make sure you have a reliable Bible--I only use the King James... not the "new" King James). A person cannot understand the Bible without the presence of the Author, and God is the Author. When you become born again (or born for the second time), God's Holy Spirit comes into your body (1st Corinthians 3:16), never to leave (Hebrews 13:5), and you will understand many new things for the first time in your life...

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." -2nd Corinthians 5:17

It is ONLY through the Precious Word of God that anyone can be born-again. Surely, no one can born into this world again physically... there is no turning back the hands of time. However, you most certainly can be born again spiritually into God's family through the Spirit of Christ... "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9). The way we become "born again" is found in the Word of God...

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." -1st Peter 1:23

We are born again by the Word of God. Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1,14: Revelation 19:13). The following statement sums it up pretty good...

One of the best resources I've found to help understand some of the many doctorines (or Belief systems) available is "The Kingdom of hte Cults", by Dr. Walter Martin.

 

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