Know that...
Jesus loves you. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
We all need a Savior. The Bible says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
Salvation is a free gift. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
You can receive that gift right now. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. “(Romans 10:9).
Jesus welcomes you wherever you are and regardless of your past. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
STEP 1
Pray
Pray the following prayer to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to die for me so that I may have eternal life. I believe and confess that Jesus is Lord and Savior of my life. Holy Spirit, teach me and guide me to live life with identity and purpose. Thank you for saving me! Amen.
Welcome to God’s Family!
STEP 2
Connect
Plug in to a local congregation. We were made for a relationship with God and each other. Our faith is not intended to be lived in isolation. You are welcome to visit our church.
STEP 3
Grow
Pursue growth in your relationship with God and other believers. Follow a Bible reading plan you can easily find on a Bible app. Get involved in church activities that foster fellowship and connection.
Answers to
Frequently Asked Questions
We grow in our relationship with Jesus by spending time in prayer.
Prayer is talking to God about anything and everything that concerns you.
The Bible says to “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Spending time in prayer on a daily basis is as taking our daily vitamins that keep our spirit person strong and healthy.
How to pray? Simple. Thank Him for who He is and for saving you. Bless His name. Confess any sin. Ask and receive His forgiveness. Present your request. Trust in His Promises.
We know the heart of God by reading the Bible.
God speaks to us through His Word. Jesus said, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” (John 6:63)
God’s Word and gives us guidance for every area of our lives: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalms 119:105)
There are many versions of the Bible. Find one that you connect with. Some popular versions include NLT, TLV, NASB, CJB, NIV, NKJV. You can follow a daily reading plan that you can start any day of the year. An excellent choice is the Fresh Start one-year reading plan available on the YouVersion Bible app, which includes the NLT version that you can also play and listen to while you drive. Why not turn your car into your Bible university and listen to God’s Word as you drive to/from work! Not only will you be strengthened but you’ll also sanitize the environment by letting His Word enter the airwaves.
God’s Word is life. The more you get into God’s Word, the more your faith will increase. The more you read the Bible, the more you will understand the heart of our Heavenly Father, and the more He will speak to you in a personal and unique way.
We deepen our relationship with Jesus and other believers when we live in community.
Find a local church where you can do life with other like-minded believers and grow in your relationship with God. You are welcome to visit us at Shalom Church.
The Christian faith is not intended to be lived in isolation; we were to enjoy a relationship with God and each other. We belong not only to a local assembly but to the global body of Christ referred to in the Bible as The Church.
Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Therefore, we receive spiritual covering and protection when we actively belong to a local congregation, which in turn connects us to the global body of Christ.
We grow in our faith when we gather and worship together: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20 NIV)
Divine transactions take place when we worship corporately. We find healing for our soul and bodies, encouragement, revelation, fresh insight, and prophetic ministry that edifies the whole Body of Christ.
Hearing God’s Word preached helps us grow in the knowledge of God: “But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15)
We grow in our relationship with Jesus when we surrender to Him.
Water baptism is a public acknowledgment of our faith. Jesus instructed his followers to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19-20).
When the apostle Peter gave his first sermon, he encouraged people to “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
Speak to your pastor about arranging your water baptism.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we receive power to live a life fully.
The Holy Spirit is God’s Spirit that indwells in the life of the believer. He is our Helper who guides us.
Jesus said: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper so He may be with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him. You know Him, because He abides with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15-17 NIV)
Receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an act of faith. Our prayer language, aka, “speaking in tongues”, connects us with God in a deeper way: The Bible says, “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 14:2 NIV)
God gives us our own prayer language as He wills: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:4 NIV)
The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome temptation, sin, and live for God. We cannot overcome sin on our own strength or human wisdom. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus said to His disciples: “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.” (Acts 1:8 NIV)
To be witnesses for Jesus, we need the power of the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is a walk of faith, “The righteous will live by faith” (Romans 1:17 NIV). Therefore, we need the Holy Spirit to empower and guide us.
Speak to your pastor about receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit and your prayer language.
We grow in our relationship with Jesus when we are discipled.
A disciple is a student of the Bible who learns the teachings of Jesus and applies them to everyday life. Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Plug in to a local church where you are taught the Bible. Hearing God’s Word preached helps us grow in the knowledge of God. Remain connected to Jesus: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
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