This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
A few months ago, I talked with a man I will call John. John had recently given his life to Jesus but struggled in his new faith. He was anxious and felt like he was letting God down at every turn. When I asked him what was causing him to feel that way, John said, “I’ve lived my life a galaxy away from God for so long, and, now that I finally found him, I have no idea what he wants me to do next!”
Have you ever felt that way in your relationship with God? Do you want to grow your faith but don’t know what that looks like or how to begin? Do you sometimes feel in the dark about what God wants you to do and how he wants you to live?
Whether you are a new Christian or have been a Christian for a long time, we all have moments where we feel stuck in our spiritual journey. If you’ve recently given your life to Christ (or even if it’s been a while) and don’t know what to do next, here are a few simple steps you can take to help you move forward in your new friendship with Jesus:
1. Read a little Scripture each day. To know God’s Will, you must spend time in God’s Word (Ps. 119:105). Start reading in the Gospels. Read one chapter a day. Continue that way through the New Testament, then go back through the Old Testament.
2. Talk to God daily through prayer. What should you talk to God about? What’s on your mind? Pastor Craig Groeschel says, “If it’s on your mind, it’s on his heart” (1 Peter 5:7) *. Take time throughout your day to tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done for you (Phil. 4:6).
3. Get plugged into a local church. Connecting with other Christians who will teach you what it means to be a follower of Jesus is crucial. Meet with church members weekly to encourage each other in your life and faith (Heb. 10:25).
4. Look for ways to serve others and tell them about Jesus. God has left us on earth to tell as many people as possible about how they can find life in him (Matt. 28:18-20). One of the best ways we can do that is to let our light shine through service (Matt. 5:16) and tell others about our hope in Jesus (1 Peter 3:15).
Dig Deeper
1. How did you first give your life to Jesus? What has your life been like since you became a Christian?
2. As you look at the steps in today’s devotional, which one do you feel God is calling you to work on the most right now? How will you go about putting that into practice this week?
