For New Believers Only!

1. Is there really a God?

You may have wondered about this question for years. However, God has now revealed Himself directly to you. That may very well have come as a surprise. While we are searching, we ask many questions but often keep them to ourselves. We don’t know who to ask and now realize that our unsaved friends, those closest to us, are probably not the best place to turn for answers. They may not understand what has just happened to you any better than you do yourself.

While you don’t quite get it, the change that you have experienced is the most significant change that you will ever experience. You no longer find yourself wondering if God is real. That question has now been answered forever. It may not have come easily or quickly, but it is certain. God is real.

Not only is He real, but He has specifically reached out and revealed Himself directly to you. You are special in His sight. While you are far from being alone in being special, that single thought will stay with you forever. God is not just real, but He has specifically worked to reveal Himself to you. He wouldn’t have done that if you were not special. Never loose sight of that!!

2: Where is God?

The difficulty most of us go through is that we usually look for evidence of Him in the physical world. However, God is invisible. We have been looking in the wrong place. There are actually two worlds, the visible and the invisible. While God is found in both worlds, He has revealed Himself to you from within the invisible world. He has done that by working through the lives of men and women in the visible world. That’s the way He works.

When nearly anything happens, there have been two aspects to it. God has His part and man has his. It takes both for anything to happen. As time goes by, you will see that more and more readily. God does it; but until man steps up to do his small part, nothing happens.

That does not make it more difficult to find Him. Looking for Him in a specific place will go nowhere. He is everywhere. It’s not necessary to see Him to experience Him. You have already done that. When you made your choice to come to God, it may have been due to something that someone said or something you experienced. That was God speaking to you. It was not simply someone speaking or doing something on His behalf. It was God Himself moving through that persons life. It was a message from Him directly to you.

3: Since I’ve really messed up, why does God even care about me?

Most of us struggle while we are searching for God. We know what we are like and somehow we sense that we do not measure up. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) God has already built into us the knowledge of what we really should be like. Not only that, but we understand that we simply cannot be good enough to deserve being accepted by Him. We have gotten that much right. There’s no way we can get our own act together. When we try, we just make it worse. God is the only way.

He loves us in spite of our failings. For most of us, that’s a really big stumbling block. By now you understand that he loves you in spite of yours. You may not understand why He  does; but you know it’s real. He has forgiven you because you asked Him to. Your past is gone; He has made you a new person. You are clean.

That does not mean you’ll never mess up again. You may have already done so. From now on when you blow it, all you have to do is confess it to God and you are forgiven. Having difficulty accepting that mean you know how you would have reacted if you were in God’s seat. Forgiving someone can be very hard. You know you would have difficulty forgiving someone else.

God is not like us. He will forgive us 70 times 7, meaning as often as necessary. God loves you with an everlasting love. Letting that sink in is a really big leap.  It may take some time. It’s okay; you have lots of it. However, once you are okay with that, you will find that you are now able to love Him in return. We’re not talking romantic love here. A deep seated appreciation and respect develops that goes beyond what you have ever experienced.

Rest assured, God would never have moved in your life the way you have seen Him do unless He truly wanted you. You are both loved and wanted.

4: Suddenly, things are really different. What has become of my old life?

Sometimes it takes awhile to notice how different things have become. The excitement can take over and things may have to catch up. Your life has taken a major turn. You realize that your spiritual life is entirely different than it was. It’s new the growth process you have undertaken has pushed everything else aside while you enjoy your new life. As others see what happened, they may not understand it.

Your old life has completely changed. The life you previously lived in the physical world had been a reflection of where you had been in the spiritual world. That is still the case although it is now reflecting where you are. God is now a major part of everything you are doing. Your priorities and desires are also changing. The change in you will be noticed by those around you.

Things you clung to in the past may no longer be important. You will gradually become aware of that; but, those around you will notice it immediately. The change will be your testimony and you’ll be anxious to share it with others. They will already know that you have changed. You may become a positive influence on them. Some of them may join you in your new life.

Most will not. Your interests and priorities are no longer their interest and priorities. They may not be ready to let go of the old. You may no longer be an important part of their life and they may no longer want to be part of yours. Your friends may be changing.

You may think that they have left you and maybe they have. However, you have also left them. Different priorities will bring about new relationships. In that respect you may feel you have been rejected. If you feel that way it will be short lived. You will have begun to establish new and positive relationships. You will become involved those how feel as you now do. They will now begin to influence you as you move closer to God. It’s to be expected.

5: Do I really need to become involved in a church?

Today many people feel they are fine with God, but are not comfortable with the church. That’s where God’s people are to be found. You will always be influenced by those around you and you will be an influence on others. That will be an important factor in your own growth.

Change can be difficult and you now see that you will be going through change for the balance of your life. Your old friends would attempt to tell you that you are okay. They mean well for you. However, The Lord means even better for you. Just because you have found Him does not mean that you have arrived. More change will go on for your entire life and you want to be moving in God’s direction. That can only happen if you are influenced by godly people. The Lord will work through them.

You may have resisted the Lord for years before deciding it was time to go His way. You may be glad that you now belong to the Lord; but, you may still resist further change. God will be moving in your life to mold you into the person He wants you to become. Don’t fight it. Ask Him to bring about further change. His objective is to move you as close to Him as possible, to make you more and more like Him.

That can best take place when you bring yourself under the influence of those who are also undergoing change to their lives. You are not perfect and neither are they. They still have a ways to go. They will have their faults because they too are still a work in progress.

Your old friends may not be changing. They may think they are happy the way they now are and you may become a better influence on them by no longer being willing to remain unchanged. Your first priority is to stay close to God. Second is to accept and want to become more like Him. Third will be to help others to move in His direction. It’s always a choice; but, you now know which is the better choice.

Others may attempt to bring you back to the way you were. They may think it’s best for you; but, its the way of the world, not the way to go. The most positive influence you can be under is to be close to Gods people and they will be found in church.

6: How do I find the right church?

There are many churches and I am not going to suggest that you look extensively into doctrine to pick one. You’re probably not ready to deal with that anyway. Relationships will be more important than doctrine. Even in this God will help you and He will work through people to find the church that’s right for you. It might be as simple as a friend inviting you to his church. If something like that happens, try it. You’ll probably know if it’s a good fit. There can be problems: but for now, let’s keep it simple. Trust me, you will know when you have the right one for you.

I am not suggesting that the teaching offered is to be overlooked. For right now, as important as it is, you may not recognize scriptural teaching yet. Being in the word of God is your way to check. Whatever else, be in the word of God daily. As time passes, how well the church aligns itself with scripture will become more apparent. But, at this point you may not be ready to evaluate that. For now trust God that He will move you into a solid church.

If you find that you are not becoming involved, it’s okay to move on. If you are finding support for your new life, you have probably found a new home. Remember, there can be problems. However God has led you this far and you can be certain that He will not leave you alone even in this. You are learning to trust God. You are learning how He does things. He works through people and you’ll soon find Him using you, as well. You are now part of His family.

Whatever else, there are two tools that you will never be without. They are prayer and the word of God (at some point you may include fasting, as well). They are what will move you ever closer to God regardless of your initial contacts with your newly chosen church. Do not ignore either.

Not to worry. You may think you have found God. You surely have, but, He had been attempting to reveal Himself to you all along and He will never leave you or forsake you. Put your trust in Him (even when it seems difficult) and He will continue to change you.