The Next Steps
After Accepting Jesus...
The Next Steps
So now that you have accepted Jesus or re-dedicated your life there is a life long journey ahead of you. The next step is to establish a new path for yourself.
You are always growing and God has plans for you. The basic tools are developing a daily prayer life, study life, and practicing the things which God has taught you.
You are always growing and God has plans for you. The basic tools are developing a daily prayer life, study life, and practicing the things which God has taught you.
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(1) Developing a Daily Prayer Life |
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Prayer is simply speaking to God and/or Jesus. It is a conversation that you have with the most important persons in your life,
Prayers should not be recited or rehearsed. If you were talking with your best friend or if they were speaking to you, would you want to hear the same exact words recited every time you spoke to them? Of course you wouldn't. So God or Jesus doesn't want to hear a rehearsed or recited prayer either.
Jesus said ...
Matthew 6:7 - 8 NKJV
(7) And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. (8) Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
- Also what kind of relationship do you want with God and/or Jesus? Some have a best friend or relative that they speak with everyday. These people really know you and hopefully care for you because of that close relationship. So speaking with Jesus and God on a daily basis develops your relationship with them as well.
Prayers should not be recited or rehearsed. If you were talking with your best friend or if they were speaking to you, would you want to hear the same exact words recited every time you spoke to them? Of course you wouldn't. So God or Jesus doesn't want to hear a rehearsed or recited prayer either.
Jesus said ...
Matthew 6:7 - 8 NKJV
(7) And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. (8) Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
- Also what kind of relationship do you want with God and/or Jesus? Some have a best friend or relative that they speak with everyday. These people really know you and hopefully care for you because of that close relationship. So speaking with Jesus and God on a daily basis develops your relationship with them as well.
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(2) Developing a Daily Study Routine |
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Every day you should devote time to learning about God and developing a relationship with Him and His son Jesus Christ!
Think of it this way... There are certain people that share a close relationship with you. These relationships are formed because you...
(1) spend time with them and (2) you converse with them on a regular basis.
Even if the time that you spend is only a few minutes a day and few times a week, over time that overall time adds up quickly and they get to know you and you also end up learning many things about them.
Think of it this way... There are certain people that share a close relationship with you. These relationships are formed because you...
(1) spend time with them and (2) you converse with them on a regular basis.
Even if the time that you spend is only a few minutes a day and few times a week, over time that overall time adds up quickly and they get to know you and you also end up learning many things about them.
Your most important relationship is with God. Devote at least five to ten minutes a day to read the word of God and allow His Spirit to teach you and speak to you. How? Here are a few suggestions...
(1) Reading the Bible's Book of Proverbs / Day With Chapter
- It's also o.k. to start in the middle of the month. If you start in the middle of the month make sure that you go back to the first chapter at the beginning of the next month!
(2) Read the New Testament Gospels / 1 or 2 Chapters a Day
(1) Reading the Bible's Book of Proverbs / Day With Chapter
- The book of proverbs has 31 chapters and the average month has 30 - 31 days.
- It usually takes less than 10 minutes to read one chapter (sometimes less).
- It's also o.k. to start in the middle of the month. If you start in the middle of the month make sure that you go back to the first chapter at the beginning of the next month!
(2) Read the New Testament Gospels / 1 or 2 Chapters a Day
- The New Testament is found toward the back of the Bible and is simply the story of Jesus Christ and His followers.
- The first four books (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are the same story written with slight different perspectives and insight.
- The remainder of the New Testament is a collection of letters and writings after the resurrection of Christ by His followers.
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(3) Putting Learned Things Into Practice |
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What good is advice that is not followed or instruction that isn't used? Have you ever tried to put something together without instructions? Now think about how complicated LIFE can be and trying to put your life together WITHOUT instructions.
As a matter of fact EVERYONE has LIFE instructions available to them. However, sadly many do not know or even worse, do not follow those instructions.
- Once we begin learning about how to better our lives through biblical instructions the next step is training ourselves to FOLLOW the instructions that we receive. Instructions help us assemble a life that is satisfying and worthwhile.
As a matter of fact EVERYONE has LIFE instructions available to them. However, sadly many do not know or even worse, do not follow those instructions.
- Once we begin learning about how to better our lives through biblical instructions the next step is training ourselves to FOLLOW the instructions that we receive. Instructions help us assemble a life that is satisfying and worthwhile.
James 1:21 - 25 NKJV
(21) Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (22) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (23) For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he (or she) is like a man (or woman) observing his (or her) natural face in a mirror; (24) for he (or she) observes himself (or herself), goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man (or woman) he (or she) was.
(25) But he (or she) who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he (or she) does.
(21) Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (22) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (23) For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he (or she) is like a man (or woman) observing his (or her) natural face in a mirror; (24) for he (or she) observes himself (or herself), goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man (or woman) he (or she) was.
(25) But he (or she) who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he (or she) does.
Other Things to Seriously Consider...
(1) Joining a Bible Study (Group or Personal)
A bible study will allow you to ask questions and share experiences. The most important key is finding the right one FOR YOU!
A few things to look for and consider...
A few things to look for and consider...
- Does the study teach directly from the word of God (the bible)?
- The makeup of the group...all women...men...mixed...etc...
- The makeup of the group (part 2) - is the group full of Christians that are far more advanced or new believers?
- Location - is the group close to your home? Is it easy to attend because of the location
- Date and times - Make sure you can attend easily without adding stress to your schedule and / or missing studies.
(2) Finding a Local Church (as close as possible)
Choosing a church has many of the same goals as the above search for a bible study group with a few differences:
The most important key is finding the right one FOR YOU!
A few things to look for and consider...
PRAY PRAY PRAY!
The most important key is finding the right one FOR YOU!
A few things to look for and consider...
- Does the church teach directly from the word of God (the bible)?
- The makeup of the church... majority of one race...older or younger congregation...mixed...etc...
- The makeup of the church (part 2) - is the church full of Christians that are far more advanced or new believers?
- Location - is the church close to your home? Is the church easy to attend because of the location?
- Date and times - Make sure you can attend easily without adding stress to your schedule.
- The size of the church / Larger churches have more resources but visitors can get lost in the numbers.
- Certain denominations cater to certain spiritual focuses - find one that focuses on the complete word of God
- Certain churches require membership or other requirements - you do not need a membership to learn about God.
PRAY PRAY PRAY!
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