Becoming a Christian is one of the best decisions we could ever make.  It’s not about church membership or doing enough good things, it is simply taking advantage of a free gift that God gives, salvation.  He offers it to any person that asks Him.

God wants a relationship with you!  You can start a relationship with God by simply asking Him to be the Lord of your life.  The Bible says in Romans 10:9-10 – “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved..”

God makes becoming a Christian easy.  You simply have to believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and speak or confess that with your mouth.  If you’d like to make Jesus the Lord of your life, simply pray this prayer: “Jesus, I believe you are the son of God. I know that you died on the cross for me and you took away my sins.  I believe that now I am your child.  I choose to follow you from this day forward.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

This week we will be starting a new series called “Basics”.  Sometimes I feel it’s good to hit the “pause” button in our lives and reflect on the “Basics” of Christianity.  Over the next 4 weeks we will look at salvation, baptism, the Lord’s Supper and the steps to keep moving forward with Christ. See you Wednesday!

Bro. Brian

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

People sometimes mistake thinking there are many ways to get to God. They say that all religions will point you to the same God. They say it doesn’t really matter how you get there, just do what way seems like the right way for you. However, this is not what Jesus says. In this verse above, Jesus says that He is the only way to God. He says that He is the truth and the life and that no one can come to the Father (God) except through Him.

If Jesus is the only way to God the Father, then anyone who is trying to come to God without going through Him are missing it. It may seem harsh but it is the truth. No one can reach God without Jesus. In reality, we all are in a hopeless situation without Jesus. We are all unclean and sin without even knowing it. We desperately needed Jesus. God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus to be the answer for all mankind.

So how do we get to God? We must humble ourselves and stop relying on other ways to get to Him. We cannot get to God through trying to be good enough, trying to do religious acts or even trying not to sin. We have to stop all of that and simply believe completely on Jesus. Even if you’re already born again, the same way you receive Jesus is the same way you continue on this journey with God! 

Bro. Brian

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. – John 13:35

Do you find it hard to love others? It can be especially difficult to do this when people are mean to us or hurt us in some way.  So whether we’ve been treated bad or good, the Bible tells us to love others. This love for others shouldn’t be based on what others do to you. Regardless of how others treat you, we should always respond to them in love.

This kind of love can seem a bit insane. We’re used to people getting revenge, payback, or teaching other people a lesson. So why would Jesus ask us to do something so radically different? It’s because Jesus knew there was a better way. He knew that loving others was the best way because it frees us from carrying around hurt, revenge and bitterness.

So how do we begin to love others in this radical way? We have to begin to realize that the love for others doesn’t come from us. We can love others because Jesus loved us first. He loved us when we had nothing to offer Him. Because of this love, we can do the same and love others.

Bro Brian

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” – Luke 6:38

Have you noticed that if you want something to happen in life you’ve got to do something about it? For example, if you want to get a good grade in math, you’ve got to turn in your homework and study. If you want to do well at sports, you’ve got to work out and practice with your team. If you want something to happen in life, you’ve got to do something about it.

Today’s Bible verse is very similar. If you want to get God involved in your finances, one important way to do that is to begin to give. As you give you find that you’ve got even more to give.

No matter how much money you have or make, it’s always good to make giving a priority in your life. Not only can we give with money but we can also give with our talents.  It’s awesome to see how God will come through for you.

I’m excited about this Wednesday night.  We are starting a 2 week series on “Labels”. Have you ever “labeled” someone or has someone ever “labeled” you? I hope you can be a part of this series and see what God has in store for you! See you Wednesday!!

Praise team practice at 5:45PM

Bro. Brian

“To be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”.
Ephesians 4:23-24

We can memorize tons of scriptures and know lots of Bible verses, but until we think about them to the point where our attitude changes, they really don’t do us any good. The power in scripture is when you let it change your attitude.

If you know a Biblical truth, like how much God loves you, it doesn’t do you a ton of good. You can still live sad, depressed and feeling like no one really loves you or cares. It’s when you think about God’s truths to the point where they change your thoughts and feelings that they become powerful in your life.

So challenge yourself to not just read and memorize Bible verses. Instead, choose to dwell on the truths found in God’s word. Choose to let those truths affect what you think and determine your attitudes. The word of God is powerful. When you allow it become real to you, it will change every part of your life for good! 

Bro. Brian

See you this Wednesday night @ 6:45PM!!