Renewed Strength - New Christian

Why do I need Jesus?

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:39:20 -0600

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

We all need Jesus in our life. The sad truth is thousands of people go through life without realizing the importance of knowing and following Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Thousands of people go through life feeling something is missing in their life. Often they think it means they need a better relationship, better job, more friends or more money. The problem is, even with all of these things, we are not fulfilled if we don’t know Jesus Christ.

Watch the video above. If you haven’t already accepted Christ, I encourage you to do so now!

Becoming a Christian is easier then some may think. You don’t have to be in a Church, you don’t have to be on your knees in a white robe with Holy water on your head. All you have to do is stop what you are doing and ask Him to come into your life. Simply pray to Him and say something similar to “God, I believe that you created heaven and earth and that your Son died for me on the cross. I believe that your son Jesus Christ rose from the dead so that I may receive forgiveness for my sins. I ask you to forgive me of my sin’s and that you become a part of my life and help me as I learn to follow you and live my life how you want me to. Amen”

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Are you Rich?

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 07:42:00 -0600

At our Church, I always enjoy our time of fellowship & greeting before Church. It’s great to be able to briefly catch up with those we may not have seen all week. We often ask each other “How are you doing”. The common response is “Fine”, “Good”, or maybe even “Great”. Others will go into a long story of what’s wrong in their life. Despite the troubles you’re having, when asked how we are, we all should be answering that question with “I am rich”.

Now we are far from being financially rich. We live paycheck to paycheck on one income, but we are Rich. We have been blessed way more then what we deserve. When things don’t go our way and problems arise, it’s easy to get down and dwell on our own problems. But we must remember that God has plans to prosper us, not forsake us. In Paul’s letter to the Church at Corinth, he gave them a warning. Citing Israel’s past and the time they spent wandering in the desert as an example.

1 Corinthians 10:9-10 says “Let us not test Christ as some of them did and were destroyed by snakes. Nor should we complain as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer.” Now Paul is explaining to them that the suffering Israel endured in the desert for 40 years was not God’s fault, but their own. God promised them a land flowing with milk & honey. He gave then water flowing from a rock and manna falling from the sky. Despite the amazing signs God performed for and through Moses, they still did not truly trust God. Instead they tried to test God and complained about what they had to endure.

There are many people who think that being a Christian means God will make your life just great and nothing will go wrong. Some people who face tragedy in their life think that means that God can’t possibly exist and let these things happen to them. This is not the case. We are not promised a perfect life. We are not even promised an easy life. In life there will be troubles, trials, and temptations. Often times, we are no better. We tend to spend more time dwelling on what we don’t have, then we do being thankful for what we do have.

Paul goes on to say “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

We are promised something so much better than an easy life. We are promised that our all knowing, all powerful Lord and savior will be with us every day. We are all sinners, we all mess up, & we all disappoint God, but He will never leave us or forsake us, no matter what.

In John 15: 19 Jesus tells us “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.”

I will praise Him in the storm. I am grateful that I do face trials, as this means I am not of the world. I don’t need a perfect life without burdens, because I have a perfect God who loves me and will carry my burdens.

I am richly blessed

The Basic Christian Beliefs

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 22:27:00 -0600

Christianity and the Church can seem quite confusing to those who are new to it. Christianity encompasses several denominations with their own ways of doing things. Even Churches in the same denomination, can be very different. Some prefer a very traditional service with Kings James Version scripture, whereas other are much more contemporary.

With all of these differences, when you get down to the basics, all forms of Christianity have the same core beliefs.

God

There is only one God (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:5-6; Galatians 4:8-9).
God created everything (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 44:24).
God is 3 in one. The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit – aka The Holy Trinity (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; John 14:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Acts 2:32-33, John 10:30,17:11, 21; 1 Peter 1:2).
God is all knowing, & all powerful. He is everywhere and can do anything (Acts 15:18; 1 John 3:20; Psalm 115:3; Revelation 19:6; Jeremiah 23:23, 24; Psalm 139; Genesis 18:4; Job 42:2).

Without a belief in God, you are not a Christian. Now remember, there are other religions that believe in a “god”, but are not Christians. Just because someone tells you they believe in God, does not necessarily mean you are talking about the same God. Some people believe in God, yet are still not Christians. Christianity, Judaism and Islam are referred to as Abrahamic religions. This means they all three trace their origins to Abraham. Judaism and Islam both use parts of the Christian Bible and believe in the same God. This does not make them Christians.

Jesus Christ

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18).
Jesus was born of the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:23).
Jesus lived a sinless life (1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15).
Jesus was crucified, died, and was burred (Mark 15:23-32).
Three days later, he rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven (Matthew 17:23; 28:5, 6; John 2:20-22; Acts 1:3-11; Ephesians 1:20, 21; Hebrews 1:3).
Jesus took the punishment for our sins (1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45).

Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary. This is how we know He is the Son of God. He lived a humble and sinless life, yet he was murdered for sins he did not commit. He died to take the punishment for our sins.

Bible

The Bible is God’s Holy word (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)

The Holy Bible is our instruction book to life. By reading the Bible daily, we can gain a better understanding of God and how He wants us to live (Matthew 16:17; 1 Corinthians 2:14).

Man

We are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26; 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Colossians 3:10; James 3:9)
Adam (The first man) was created by God, in a perfect world. Because Adam did not obey God, sin was introduced into the world (Genesis 3).
We are all sinners (Romans 3:23.

We are not worthy to receive eternal life in Heaven with God. Nothing we can do on our own can change that. No matter how noble our actions or what we say, we are nothing without the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

There are many more facts that Christians believe. The points above simply outline the core points of Christianity. These are the facts you must believe in, in order to be a Christian and receive the gift of salvation. Just remember, you can not just read the facts, believe them, and then go on living your life however you want. We must all strive daily to grow closer to God and live your life how He wants. If you haven't already prayed to invite Jesus into your heart, I encourage you to continue reading How to Become a Christian.

Are You Claiming your Blessings?

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:25:00 -0600

It’s easy for us to sometimes wonder why we don’t get things our way. Why we didn’t get the promotion at work, why we can’t afford a new car, why were not happier in life, etc. It is also easy to think we deserve everything we want. If asked, most people today would tell you they are hard workers, dedicated to their job and family, and generally good people. So if all of this is true, and we are Christians who pray to God for the things we want or ‘need’, why isn’t God blessing us with what we ask him for?

Let’s take a closer look. Below we are going to evaluate some of the most common reasons why we may not be receiving our blessings from God.

What are our motives? Do we want the promotion at work so that you are in a better position to serve others and Glorify God by being allowing others to see Gods love shining through you in how you speak, act, and treat those working for you? Or do you just want to make more money and be able to be someone else’s boss? "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 Do you want a newer car so that you can show it off to your friends as a status symbol, or do you need better transportation so that you can make more trips visiting shut-ins, nursing homes, and those in the hospital or jail? "And he will answer, 'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.'” Matthew 24:45

Are we truly being good People/Parents/Christians/Spouses, or just good enough? It is a lot easier to notice the faults of others then it is to notice our own faults. It is all too easy to convince ourselves that we are doing everything, or at least most things right. This week, make a conscience effort to self-examine everything you do. Are you showing selfless love towards everything you come into contact with? Are you wholeheartedly praying to God, and trust in him to show you the path his has prepared rather than just telling him what you want? Are you looking for opportunities to help others, even if it inconvenience’s you? And most importantly, do you trust God completely and seek to please him above all else?

Is your to-do list full of the items you think are most important, or are you asking God to show you his plan for your day and for him to help you work for His kingdom? “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Matthew 6:33. It has been said, ‘If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans’. There is a lot of truth to this, but it should also stand as a warning. Be careful not to tell God your plan and expect him to bless it. Instead, live your life for Him, pray asking Him to show you His plan, and he will bless your good works.

In Paul’s letter to the Church at Corinth, he reminded them of the Israelites that were lead out of the Egypt with Moses. The Israelites spent 40 years wandering lost in the wilderness. God promised them fertile land, flowing with milk and honey if they would put their trust in Him. However they continued to complain and wish for more. Paul gave Corinth this warning; “¹¹ These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. ¹² So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:11-13

So if were being good Christians, with good motives and asking God to show us His path for us, we will get the next promotion and new car and a bigger house, right? Well, not quite. However if you will strive to live your life putting God first, others second, and selflessly help other, God will bless your life even more then you can imagine.

God is ready willing and able to bless your life and everything you do. He will provide for your every need. He will open doors for you that you did not think would ever be possible. ⁹ “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ¹¹ “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:9-13

Claim your Blessings!

How to Become a Christian

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:16:00 -0600

First, I want to applaud you for taking the time to learn how to become a Christian. I assure you that becoming a Christian can and will change your entire life for the better if you’re willing to truly live your life as a Christian. With that said, I hope you already have a understanding about what a Christian is. If not, I encourage you to read What is a Christian before going any further. I believe there are many misconceptions surrounding what it actually means to be a Christian and I don’t want you continue is such a important undertaking without a understanding of the basics.

Before we can have a relationship with God, we have to understand what is separating us from God. That thing is SIN! Ask yourself, ‘Am I a sinner’. If you have ever lied, cheated, lusted, lost your temper, been mean to someone else or refused to help the needy, then you have sinned. In fact, we are all sinners.

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

Sin is what keeps us out of heaven and away from God. Now the book of Romans gives us two very important passages of good news.

"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

God knows that we are born into a sinful world and are powerless to sin on our own. This is why he sent his son Jesus Christ to die for us.

"For the wages of sin is death (eternal separation from God), but the gift of God is eternal life (in heaven with God) in Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

Jesus Christ lived a perfect and sin-free life. He did not need to be crucified on the cross because of his own sins; he died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. I have known this to be true since I was a small kid, but I did not truly understand the magnitude of Gods sacrifice until I became a parent. I cannot even imagine purposefully sending my son to be mocked, beaten, humiliated, and murdered without doing anything to stop it. This is exactly what God did. He then raised Jesus from the dead and ascended him into heaven to prepare a place for each of us. All so that you and I can receive forgiveness for our sins!

"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

Jesus has already paid the price for your sins. Now to receive this forgiveness you must accept Jesus as your Lord & savior and repent for your sins. To repent means to confess that you are a sinner then turn from sinful ways and turn to follow Christ.

"If you confess 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 confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10

This is where a lot of people seem to get off track. You cannot simply ask for forgiveness and keep doing the same thing you always have. You have to work hard to resist your sinful nature and habits and strive to be closer to God. Now this doesn’t mean that you have to be perfect starting tomorrow. None of us are perfect! God know that we will mess up and make sinful mistakes. But you do have to try hard to work to have a closer relationship with Him. You cannot live your life however you want to and expect to still spend eternity in Heaven by simply doing something good every now and again.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

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What is a Christian

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:43:00 -0600

By definition, Christian means “follower of Christ”. A 2010 survey showed that 83% of Americans consider themselves to be Christian. But what does this actually mean? By asking people on the street, you may get a wide range of answers to this question. Some believe being a Christian means going to Church, praying, being baptized, or growing up in a Christian home. All of these are important, but none of them alone make someone a Christian. Many believe that all of the people in or at least the writers of the Bible were Christians. In fact, the term Christian was not mentioned in the Bible until the New Testament. "And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians" (Acts 11:26). The Church of Antioch was the first Gentile Church founded by the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul.

Now that we know what a Christian is and where the term comes from, what does it mean to be a Christian? As stated earlier, a Christian is a follower of Christ. Before you can be a follower of Christ, you must be a believer. This means that you believe in God the Father and Jesus Christ the son, who died on the cross and was raised from the dead to pay the penalty for our sins. Once you have a belief, how do you follow Christ? This is where the real work comes in. Truly being a Christian, and truly being a follower of Christ takes work and conscious effort. I know, you may be thinking you are already too busy and can’t handle more work. Work may be a deceiving term. There is great importance and benefit to spending your time reading the Bible every day, going to Church every Sunday, going to Bible study weekly, etc. but even if your schedule doesn’t allow this, you can still be a follower of Christ.

Being a Christian is more mental than physical. It does not matter where your physical body is located or what building you are in, what matters is in whom you put your trust. Ephesians 2:8 tells us “For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God.” 1 John 2:4 tells us “Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” . Being a Christian means putting your trust in God, obeying his commands, living your life to glorify him, show love to all around you, even your enemies. The following is a list of common misconceptions to being a Christian.

A Christian is not;

Spending all your time praying
Going to every event the Church has
Going door to door, telling everyone you know about God
Wearing a cross around your neck
Memorizing and often quoting Bible verses
Being perfect

In fact, the last cannot be further from the truth!

John 1:12 “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

John 3:16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

If you have not yet accepted Christ as your Lord and savior, I encourage you to do so now. Please continue to the following article to learn How to become a Christian.