NOW THAT YOU'VE MADE THE LIFE-CHANGING DECISION TO FOLLOW JESUS, WHAT'S NEXT??
We at Christian Centre are truly excited about your commitment and acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord. While we believe that you are now ready to go forward and live your life for God, we understand that you may not fully know what to do next.
That’s why we have created this page and video series to help you navigate the early stages of your new life in Christ. Accepting Christ is the first step to living a purposeful life for God. Life can be challenging but God can help you through these difficult times. We have provided some practical recommendations that will help you in your walk with Jesus and make your life more joyous and fulfilling.
*also see our essentials video series below*
1. READ YOUR BIBLE EVERY DAY
The Bible contains instruction on various areas of our lives and can keep us strong in our relationship with our Lord. It’s in studying the Bible that God speaks to you. That does not mean that you’ll hear an audible voice as you’re reading. It just means that the Bible is a written record of the truths God wants you to understand about Him and the world in which you live.
"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8 NIV
If you do not have a Bible, we can provide one for you. There are various versions that easily help you understand God’s plan for your life. There are also computer/app versions that can be opened to a particular topic that can help you in your hour of need. Regular Bible study is a necessity when it comes to living as God expects us to live.
2. DAILY CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD (PRAYER)
Cultivate a habit of daily conversations with God. Good and consistent communication is essential for any relationship to thrive. In order to continue growing and developing in your walk with God, you’ll want to make sure that you communicate with God in prayer on a daily basis.
“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.” Phil. 4:6
Once you have become a Christian, there are still times of discouragement or when you need help. 1 Peter 5:8 gives us this encouragement: “Be self controlled and alert, your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Did you notice the word “like”? It does not mean that he is a lion or has control over you. He doesn’t.
We can be tempted to go back to our old ways or struggle with something but please remember the scripture found in 1 John 4:4, which says, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
God is always greater and desires for us to communicate our needs to him at anytime of the day. He is the One we can turn to bring provision, healing, strength, peace, wisdom and so much more! He is always there for you!
3. COMMIT TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
Commit to regular fellowship with fellow believers. Most people are drawn to salvation through a church service, a message, or a friend. It is important for any new Christian to be spiritually “fed” and have the support and fellowship from other believers who attend church. A local church/assembly will provide the support and guidance needed to remain actively close to God.
Hebrews 10:25 puts it this way, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
It is really important to be connected to a good church with good people who can help you remain strong and with people who all are striving to stay close to God. Most churches also provide education through a Sunday school or similar formats to allow us to grow together.
1 Peter 2:2 teaches us “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation."
Once we start growing and learning through knowledge and intimacy with God, God will keep allowing the Scriptures to reveal a greater desire in us to walk with Him.
4. SPREAD THE WORD
This change in your life should bring a different look for others to noticeably see. Many will ask us what is happening due to the changes in they will see in our lives. This is a great opportunity for us to be a witness (sharing) to others what God has done for us. You have gone through a marvelous change.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
There truly is no greater testimony or example for others to see and notice than the transformation that takes place in our lives when we get saved.
5. SEEK THE EMPOWERMENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
By this we mean seek the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. As a bible believing church, we believe that there is a separate gift that God gives us. Just before Jesus left, he told his disciples to wait for a gift. This gift gave them power and boldness to preach the Gospel as well as to be able to discern right from wrong.
Acts 1:8 says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
After receiving such a gift found in Acts 2:1-4, you can notice a difference in those who were filled by the Holy Spirit. The disciples no longer had a physical presence of Jesus in their midst so they needed something more to sustain and help them in their daily walk. And so the Spirit was given.
This reveals the Holy Spirit’s nature. Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the “Comforter.” He is an encourager who knows exactly what to say or do when a person is suffering physically or emotionally. The Holy Spirit wants to be as real, personal and a part of our daily lives as Jesus was to His disciples.
6. BEGIN TO SERVE
Jesus made it clear that if we want to be great in this life, we must embrace the lifestyle of service. Just as He came to serve and give His life to reconcile us to God, we are also to live in service to God and others. Service is a hallmark of the Christian life.
In Mark 10:42-45; Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
We should be the first to act, to lend a hand, to do what no one else is willing to do. In this way, we emulate Jesus and honour what He has done for us. We identify the needs of those around us and provide for others what God has so generously provided for us.
Serving isn’t about getting credit or praise for good works. We don’t serve to get noticed. We serve to care for the people God loves and share that love in practical ways so they can experience and know Him. It’s really all about Jesus. We serve for His glory alone.
If you want to grow in your faith, make a commitment to serve, and begin to look for opportunities to meet the needs in the church of others around you. See what you can to do to be the hands and feet of Jesus for the people in your community.
7. GET WATER BAPTIZED
Water Baptism is an outward expression of an inward devotion. It is an outward symbol of the internal commitment we’ve made to God. Jesus set the example for us by being baptized Himself. His baptism declared His commitment to His Heavenly Father and the life God had called Him to live on earth.
We see throughout the New Testament that when people got saved, they followed the example of Jesus in baptism. It’s the next step for those who have given their lives to God: first believe, then be baptized.
God is keen on you making your relationship with Him public. If He has changed your life, let the world know. He will use your story and your boldness to draw others to Him.
Acts 22:15-16 says, "You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name."
Spiritual growth is simply the journey to become a person who displays a more Christ-like character in their daily walk with God. It is through the Word learned, understood, and applied in our lives that we grow to maturity which in turn culminates in the a life consistently brings glory to God.
Your relationship with God can be as rewarding and fulfilling. We encourage you to prioritize your relationship with God from this day forward. If you do that, a whole new level of living awaits you the life you were destined by God to live, the very life for which you were created. May God bless and continue to be with you on your walk with our Savior Jesus Christ!