Congratulations, you have been introduced to the good news of Jesus Christ, and you have decided to walk with Him by faith. You may be asking yourself…Now what?”
Do I start praying right away? If so, how or how often should I do it? Do I go about my regular day, or should I start doing things differently? Some of us may have encountered various religions. Others may have witnessed if not experienced, diverse rules and rigorous requirements. Where to begin can be stressful and scary if left to our imagination. I desire to share a few simple tips with you that will bring peace even to the most critical overthinkers. Especially, since I’m a recovering overthinker myself. That’s right…It’s been 2 minutes and counting.
I may joke about it, but trust me when I tell you, that overcoming overthinking is a process. The act of putting your life in the hands of God is a life-changing initial event that leads you through the path to eternity. Although you shouldn’t take this life shift lightly, you will learn as you go why Jesus says, “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).
This article isn’t a replacement for the person or ministry that introduced you to the Lord Jesus. It’s a friendly note to encourage and guide you during those first few moments or days between your next connection with your new community. In this case, like a newborn, community is key.
You may have heard the term “Born Again” or “Saved” by now (Romans 10:13). This term identifies the first step that you have taken on your journey. Like a newborn, you will need guidance, nourishment, and encouragement. I’m sure you’ll have tons of questions. Although the people in your church or community may not have all the answers, there should be foundational truths that will tell you who Jesus is and why he gave his life for you. Yes, you!
Possibly, by now those who witnessed to you shared their testimonies. They may have told you the testimonies of His disciples that are written in the Holy Bible. Which is lovingly referred to as the “Word of God” by those who follow him (John 1:1-14). You’ll probably notice that after I make certain statements there are parentheses with a name or word and a series of numbers. These codes will be the references that will lead you to where you can find more information in the Bible on the statement previously made. The name will represent the book within the Bible. The first number before the colon (:) represents the chapter number within that particular book you are reading and the number(s) following the colon represent the verse(s).
Note: There are 66 books in the Bible, and they are not all in chronological order. The first 39 books are considered the Old Testament and the remaining 27 are the New Testament. They have different authors, and many have different versions of the Bible using different vernacular, yet they should have the same interpretation. Examples of the various versions are the King James Version (KJV), the New King James Version (NKJV), the New International Version (NIV), and the Message Bible (MSG) just to name a few. I recommend that you stay connected to the individual or ministry that you initially connected to when choosing a Bible.
The person’s title doesn’t matter when someone talks to you about Jesus. Everyone’s experience with Him is unique and personal. They have a right to share their joy with whomever they choose. This is called their “testimony” or “encounter” with the God. However, a pastor is someone that God calls to specifically look out for you as you grow closer to Jesus. They are also referred to as Shepherds or Overseers because Jesus is our “Good Shepard” (John 10:11-16 ). Jesus will lead us to fellowship with people who will feed his sheep. He ultimately is over us and will always be there. (Psalm 23).
Let the pastor or teachers who share the Word of God with you help you navigate through the scriptures as Jesus’ life is revealed and explained. This time of teaching is often called “Bible Study”. When you have a Bible and start reading it by yourself, I recommend using a notepad and pen to write down your questions so that you can ask them at your next meeting. I also recommend a highlighter or two so that you can highlight anything that you come across that encourages or inspires you. Don’t worry about how silly the questions may be because chances are, many others may have or have asked the same questions.
Note: DO NOT be hard on yourself! Don’t panic if you don’t understand the scriptures right away. Don’t give up if applying the principles of the Bible isn’t as easy as you thought. In any relationship, patience is required. Jesus, through God’s Holy Spirit in us, is the key to unlocking this faith walk in an “I’ll believe it when I see it” world.
The song “A Whole New World” from the movie Alladin comes to mind as I write this. Let the joy of surrendering to God’s plan and his unconventional ways of fulfilling it in our lives be inspiring. Like a babe, we should come with pure hearts and expect this walk to be an adventure.
It will take time to get to know the Lord and grow closer to Jesus. It has been the best decision that I have or will ever make. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM! As I like to say, “To know Him is to love Him.” (John 14:15-21).
I pray for God’s grace and His peace over you as you continue. May you find courage, strength, understanding, joy, and Love along the way, In Jesus’ name. Amen!
The Story Is Not Over
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