Believe in Jesus

​Jesus, the only true God, is the one who created you and He’s been looking forward to this day for a long time. Now He wants you to simply believe or place your trust in Him. You trust him by believing that He died on the cross for your sins and now lives inside you. Yes, that’s right. Jesus, in the person of the Holy Spirit, is living inside you right now. God is in your life. That may be an amazing thought for you to grasp but it’s absolutely true. Jesus lives inside people who have surrendered their lives to Him.

​

Jesus said, “I stand at the door (of your heart) and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door (of their heart) then I will come into him and dine (be) with him and him with me.” [Rev 3:20] The information below will help you understand that He is in you and what it means to “dine with him.”

​

God's Voice

​First, understand that ‘because He is in you’ means in your spirit or life. You now have the capacity to hear His voice. Jesus says in the Bible, “My sheep (meaning my followers) hear my voice.” [John 10:27] Isn’t that awesome? Because you have chosen to believe and follow Him, you have shown that you have begun to hear His voice. That was His Spirit speaking to you to pray to receive Christ. That was His Spirit speaking to you to begin reading this blog. So now expect Him to keep speaking to you. When He speaks to you, it is important to respond immediately to Him. He may want you to just listen to Him and enjoy His presence or maybe He wants you to do something for Him. Whatever it is, be available to Him 24/7. That’s what it means to make Him Lord of your life. He will give you the power through His Holy Spirit to do everything He’s asking of you.

​

Additionally, because He is in you, He wants you to talk to him. Listening to Him and talking to Him are the most important parts of your new life in Christ. This is essentially what prayer is. Every time this happens you become a little stronger in faith and in His fellowship (friendship). Because your sins are forgiven there is no blockage or hindrance between you and God. It’s like a continuous telephone connection to heaven being opened for you.

​

So, make sure you establish prayer as a foundation in your new life with God. Why not take time right now to thank Jesus for what He has done for you? Ask Him to help you and see what he says. He might just give you a key in your life that may help you and even someone you know become a strong, praying believer.

​

God's Word

Second for the believer is the Bible, which is God’s written word. His voice is His spoken word and the Bible is His written word. The Bible is a collection of many spoken words that God gave to many men and women who were hearing His voice. These words were so important to God’s people that God had them written down so that thousands of years later, believers could read them and grow in their faith and understanding of God.

 

When you read the Bible, you have an opportunity to be like God. His Word will change your life in every way. Through His Holy Spirit, who is in you, He will take the words that you read and make you into what He wants you to be. Your thinking will change, your attitudes will change, your behaviors will change. Your whole life will change!

 

Just as it is important to pray regularly, moment by moment, and hour by hour, it is important to read the Bible day by day. Take time each day to read 2 or 3 chapters of the Bible. Start by asking the Holy Spirit to help you understand. Then take a book of the Bible (New Testament books first) and begin to read it straight through. It may take you a week or two to finish one of the books but as you read, you will begin to realize that God is with you and that He is changing you by the truth of the Word. Obedience to the Word of God will also strengthen you in faith and your walk with Christ. Remember, when He asks you to do something it is because you are special to Him and what you do will bless (please) Him and bless you. So prayer is number one and reading God’s Word is number two in your spiritual life.

​​

Establishing a Church-life

Third for the believer is church. Church is not a building but the believers themselves. Because we individually and collectively have His Spirit living in us we are the one and only visible representation of Jesus Christ on earth. When people see us gathered together, they should see a little bit of heaven and a lot of Jesus. That’s one reason why it’s important to gather together. When we do, His Spirit is especially with us and in us. He speaks to us in special ways, such as teaching or preaching by His appointed leaders and through other members of His church. Also, the Lord may speak through us or use us to meet someone’s need. In addition, the Lord loves when we worship Him together. Oftentimes, when we do meet together, we feel His tangible presence all around. Gathering together helps everyone to grow to become like God. Be

sure to make coming to church weekly a priority in your life. Whether we gather at the main building or in homes it pleases God when we do.

​

In addition to gathering together to worship God in a large group meeting, the Lord Jesus has called us to gather in smaller groups for His purposes. At Life Church, these ‘life group meetings’ are special meetings where we come together to encourage each other; to worship God; and to minister to each other in the spiritual gifts that God has given us to help others be strong in faith. Also, in these meetings we can bring our unbelieving friends to hear the good news of Jesus so they also may have an opportunity to receive Christ and become part of His church.

 

So, praying to Jesus, reading your Bible daily and attending large and small church meetings are the 3 most important principles on which to establish your Christian life.

​​

Sharing Your Faith

There is a fourth and final element of your faith, which is what we call your testimony or witness. It is important that you begin even today by telling other people such as your friends and your family members, about your new-found faith in Jesus. They also need to hear the good news that Jesus can save them from their sins and give them new life. Confessing Christ to them will allow the Holy Spirit to witness through you and touch their life also. The Holy Spirit will also give you the assurance that you indeed are saved through your continual confession of faith in Christ. Ask Jesus to help you share His love and life to others. It’s one of the surest ways to become a strong believer.