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Step Four Our Response: Receive Christ We can receive Jesus Christ when we believe in His message and trust in Him alone to save us. The Bible Says… "All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name." Acts 10:43 "(Jesus said) Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me." John 14:1 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." John 1:12
How to receive Christ: 1.
Admit your need (I am a sinner). Say it! Mean it! It’s true! He did! Over 500 eyewitnesses saw Him after He rose. (1 Corinthians 15:6) History verifies His life, death, and resurrection. 4. Invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Jesus as your Savior). The Holy Spirit is the gift of God when you accept Christ. The Holy Spirit brings you the power to stop sinning and live a life pleasing to God.
God’s Assurance You have His Word on it. If you sincerely prayed this prayer and asked Jesus Christ to come into your life, do you know what He has given you? The Bible Says… "Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13 "Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:39 "He who has the Son has Life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life…" 1 John 5:12-13, NKJV "…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 "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." 2 Corinthians 1:21,22
Your New Life
Yahoooooooooooooooo!!! You’re in the family now! I can’t wait to meet you—here or in Heaven! Are you aware of the huge party you just set off in Heaven? They’re more excited over your simple decision today than over ninety-nine already righteous people who did not need to do what you just did! I suggest you tell someone you received Christ and write down today’s date. Happy New Birthday! "I tell you…there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." —Jesus Christ; Luke 15:7
Is it just the beginning? What’s next? Surprise! No, we don’t want your money. And no, we’re not going to tell you where to go to church or how to cut your hair or what brand of spring water to drink. Friend—You’re a saint now! Reading any further will NOT change the fact YOU ARE NOW GOING TO HEAVEN FOR SURE! We’re talking Done Deal! Still reading? Boy, you must really be excited! I don’t blame you! Here are some answers for questions you may have (along with even more assurances) that will help you right now UNTIL you arrive in Heaven: Should I go to a church? Oh yeah. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25 I recommended you look up a Bible believing church, perhaps one close to your home. (Check the yellow pages!) It will be full of imperfect believers, which is a great place to start. (Imperfect to us, maybe, but not imperfect in God’s eyes: "…by one sacrifice—His crucifixion—He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14) Perhaps you’ll be shy about going into a church. That’s a good sign! Satan doesn’t want you to go. Go anyway. "Just do it." (Nike® 1:01)* *Not in the Bible—recent American Pop Culture phrase
Should I read a Bible? Yep. "If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples…apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:7, 8, 5b Which Bible should I read? Some different translations that are helpful are: New Living Translation, New International Version, New King James Version, New American Standard Bible, The Living Bible, The One Year Bible, The Message, etc. Where can I get a Bible? Almost any bookstore will have several to choose from (It’s the best selling book of all time—and for good reason!) and certainly any Christian Bookstore will have any number of modern, understandable versions. Mass retailers also carry many versions. In the United States, for instance, even Wal-Mart and K-Mart carry many translations. You can even read the Bible for FREE on line at Gospelcom.net (look under Bible Gateway on the right hand side of the home page). You may also get more help there on how to grow in your relationship with Christ from any of over 100 non-profit ministries. Will I be able to understand the Bible and apply it to my life? Yes! "…the Spirit of truth…will guide YOU into all truth." John 16:12 What
about talking with God (prayer)— Absolutely! "And we can be confident that He will listen to us whenever we ask Him for anything in line with His will. And if we know He is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that He will give us what we ask for." 1 John 5:14-15 What if I don’t feel any different? If you or someone you know is married, consider this analogy: When two people know of each other, like you may have known of or about Christ, are they married? Nope. If they date and have a long courtship and even get engaged, having the strongest human emotions for each other, like you may have had a strong emotional experience that you thought brought you closer to God, does that make them married? No again. When are you married? You’re married when you say "I do". Today you said "I do" to Jesus Christ. It was an act of your will. Feelings can be fickle, so don’t worry another second if you don’t feel different. In fact, never worry again—and that’s an order! "Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:31-34 Nice marriage example, but since so many people seem to get divorced, what if Christ decides to divorce me? Impossible! He says so right in His Word: "God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ " Hebrews 13:5 "If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT Once you receive Christ, that’s it, even if you make a mistake and "are unfaithful", He "remains faithful". Friend, that’s love! You
don’t know me. "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." Isaiah 1:18 "I (Your Father in Heaven) forgive your sins—every one…as far as sunrise is from sunset, I have separated you from your sins." Psalm 103:4, 12 The Message (First person) "This is a true saying, and everyone should believe it: Christ Jesus came into the world to SAVE sinners—and I (The Apostle Paul—who used to help murder Christians) was the worst of them all. But that is why God had mercy on me, so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life." 1 Timothy 1:15-16 NLT Now
that I’m certain I’m going to Heaven, As you grow in your faith, you may have "growing pains" and commit sin. Now if you sin, you can tell the Lord about it—He’ll forgive you and cleanse you—He promises!: "But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." 1 John 1:9 Friend,
the Christian journey is a —but take heart: "…the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 "I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need." Philippians 4:13 NLT You will be amazed at how much you will now understand of what the Bible says directly to YOU! I suggest you set up a daily reading plan. Take time to listen to God’s inner voice, too—He’s one great conversationalist, and One who truly values your friendship! "…the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends (Jesus did that for you). You are My friends …I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn’t confide in his servants. Now you are My friends— —since I have told you everything the Father told Me. You didn’t choose Me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using My name." —Jesus Christ, John 15:13-16 NLT Your
Name Is Written May you yield to God’s specific plan for YOU to reach your ultimate potential and fulfillment in this life. And friend, rest easy tonight—and every night! Your name was written today in the Book of Life which is kept safe in your future, permanent home—Heaven, The Heaven itself! "I will never erase their names (believers) from (meaning your name is already there) the Book of Life, but I will announce before My Father and His angels that they are Mine." Revelation 3:5 "…whose names are (already) written in the Book of Life." Philippians 4:3 You’re there—count on it! You have it in writing from God! And now God has Your Name in writing! Remember: "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that YOU may KNOW that YOU HAVE eternal life…" 1 John 5:12-13, NKJV HOW
can you be Absolutely Certain God has doubly assured YOU with words that leave absolutely no room for even the tiniest doubt:
"You Have . . . You KNOW . . . Forever . . . Confident . . . Sure . . . Guarantee" That’s how! Questions?
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