Are You Ready for Your New Beginning?

If you're reading this page it's likely that you're looking for a new beginning.  Do you ever wonder if there's more to life than what you're currently experiencing?  Does life sometimes seem so hard that you wonder if you'll ever get a break?  Do you feel alone or as if there's something or someone missing from your life?  Have you ever just wanted a new start?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then you've come to the right place.  A new beginning is possible.  Not only can you have a new beginning, but the right choice today can put you on a path to peace, fulfillment, wholeness and healing. You can learn how to live more, love more and laugh more.  No matter how you started in life or where you've ended up, a new life is possible for you today.

The bible tells us that we've all made mistakes.  There's not one perfect person on this planet.  As a matter of fact, it says we are all born into sin.  When God created the first man, Adam, He created him in God's image to live forever.  God gave Adam some very specific instructions about life, but because Adam chose his way over God's way, Adam introduced sin into the world and received the punishment of death and separation from God.  Through Adam, all people inherited sin and death.

Because of God's great love for us, He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to this world so we could once again have eternal life.  The bible tells us that God demonstrated this love toward us by sending Christ to die in our place, even while we were still sinners.  There's nothing we could ever do to earn this gift.  He gives it to us freely.  His sacrifice is the only way that we can once again be close to God.

The sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross was enough to save us from sin and death, but it was also enough to provide a way out of the messes in which we find ourselves.  Some messes are a result of the way we started out in life or what others have done to us over the years, and some messes we've created ourselves. Either way, the bible tells us Jesus came so we could have and enjoy life and have it in abundance.

The bible says that today God is giving you a choice between life and death, between blessings and curses.  Choosing life is simple.  If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, the bible says you can be saved.  When you accept Jesus as Lord, you submit yourself to His will and authority.  You turn from your own ways and put Him in charge of every area of your life.

If you'd like a new beginning and want to choose life today, you can start by praying. Prayer is simply talking to God and listening for His response.  Begin by confessing your sinfulness.  Acknowledge that we all have sinned and need a Savior. Tell Him you believe He died on the cross for your sins and that God raised Him from the dead.  Tell Him you accept His free gift of salvation and that you submit every area of your life to Him.  Declare that from this day forward, you choose life!

If you prayed to receive Christ, you can be certain you are saved. The bible says if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful to forgive us.  You can be assured that you are free from sin and death and that you now have eternal life!

The Next Step:

If you'd like to take the next step, it's a good idea to begin by reading the bible for yourself.  The Holy Bible is the true, unchanging Word of God. It was written by men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.  It's alive and active and can teach us, correct us and guide us.  Originally written in Hebrew and Greek, over the years the bible has been translated into different languages.  When you choose a bible, it's important to choose one that is proven, trusted and easy to understand.  A few of the modern, trusted translations include the New King James Version (NKJV), New International Version (NIV), Contemporary English Version (CEV) and the New American Standard Bible (NASB).  My favorite versions are The Amplified Bible (AMP) and the New Living Translation (NLT).

You can start by reading the scripture below out of your own bible.  Unless specified, I recommend the reading the New Living Translation (NLT).  You can buy a bible at most any bookstore, or you can access the different versions online at www.biblegateway.com.  Don't feel like you have to read all these scriptures at one time.  Your new life is more like a marathon than a sprint.  Try to begin every day by talking to God and reading your bible.  As you do these things, you'll come to know God in a more real and personal way.  The important thing is that you're moving forward at a steady pace.

• Genesis 1-3
• Romans 3:10
• Romans 3:21-26
• Romans 5:12
• John 3:16
• Romans 6:23
• Romans 5:6-11
• Ephesians 2:8-9, 13
• John 10:10 (AMP)
• Deuteronomy 30:19
• Romans 10:9-10
• 1 John 1:9
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• Hebrews 4:12
• Psalm 119:105

After you've finish reading these scriptures, a good place to continue reading your bible is in the Gospel of John.  Some people set a goal to read one chapter a day. Most importantly though, you should read at your own pace and make sure you understand what you're reading.  With bible reading, quality is definitely better than quantity.

Going Deeper:

Now that you've made the decision to become a Christ-follower, it's important that you get connected with a local church.  Pray and ask God to help you find a church that's a good fit for you.  During your first few visits, pay attention to make sure they are teaching out of the Holy Bible.  This is the only true and authentic Word of God. Also, you should hear them openly use the name of Jesus Christ during the worship and teaching times.  The church should feel warm and welcoming.  It should feel like a place you would want to call home.  Look for a church that is focused on helping the believers who attend the church as well as reaching and helping unbelievers in the community.  Be sure to find out the church's mission statement and statement of belief.  Many times you can find this on the church's website.

Once you've found a local church that's right for you, talk to the pastor about water baptism.  This is your opportunity to publicly declare your new faith and is an outward sign that you've fully committed your life to follow Jesus.

If you have questions or would like more information about receiving Christ as your Savior, please visit findingmyhope.org.