ighthouse
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how do I begin a relationship with God?

Many people are searching for God these days. Perhaps this is why you are visiting this webpage. Is something missing from your life? Do you feel an emptiness inside? God desires to have a relationship with you and He alone can fill the emptiness you feel inside. If I have described you and your life, here is what you should do:

1.  Admit that you are a sinner and need a savior
The Bible says it is sin (the things that we do that are wrong) that separates us from God in the first place causing our emptiness. Our natural inclination as human beings is to ignore God and do our own thing. Our two great sins are failing to love God with all our heart and failing to love our neighbors as ourselves. The Bible says, “All we like sheep have gone astray, and each of us has turned to his own way.” (Isaiah 53:6) And later in Isaiah 59:2 “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you.”

2. Believe that Jesus died on the cross...
to save you from your sin, that He rose from the dead and is alive today. Instead of making us pay, God allowed Jesus to pay the price for our sin—a penalty that was rightfully ours. He did this because He loves us.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“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.” (Romans 10:9)

3. Accept the free gift of God's salvation
God's offer of forgiveness for sin is free and always available. But it is not yours until you personally accept it. Don't try to earn it because you can't. Nothing you do will ever make you good enough for God. Just accept what He has done for you.

“For it is by grace you are saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)

4. Give your life to Jesus
Invite Him into your heart to be your Lord and Savior. To give your life to Jesus means you give control of your life over to Him. By inviting Him into your heart He makes His presence known in your life. As you invite Him, He will come into you, through the Holy Spirit, and fill the emptiness inside. Jesus called this being “born again.” Becoming a Christian is a lot like birth. It is the beginning of a whole new life. Jesus will make you new from the inside out. He promises in Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” and in John 3:3 “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” The Bible also says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Here is a simple prayer you can follow:
Dear Lord, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that I don’t do what I should, and I do a lot of things that I know I shouldn’t. I haven’t loved you with all my heart or my neighbor as myself. I’m sorry for my sins and for being rebellious. Thank you for loving me and for sending Jesus to die for me. I know now He took my place, suffered the punishment that I deserved, rose from the dead and lives today. I accept your free gift of forgiveness right now. Jesus, I give you my life and ask you to come into my heart to live in me forever—to be my Lord and King. I want to follow you from now on. Amen.

If you have given your life to Christ, please contact one of our pastors. We would like to help you grow in your new relationship with God. If you would like more information about the Christian life, feel free to contact Lighthouse Vineyard’s office at 541-574-4499.

I've Just Become A Christian, Now What?
If you gave your life to Christ and invited Him into your heart, then you are a Christian. But now what? Is there more than this in being a Christian? What should you do now that you are a Christian? Here are several fundamental things you can do:

1.  Read the Bible daily. The Bible is God's Word-He is the author. It is the primary way God communicates with us. By reading the Bible, you will learn more about Him, what He has done for you and His plan for your life. You will also find comfort during difficult times and answers for your problems. We need to read the Bible every day in order to live and grow as Christians. A good place to start reading is the biographies of Jesus. They are the first four books of the New Testament called the gospels or “good news”. We recommend reading a modern translation of the Bible, such as the New International Version (NIV).  Jesus answered, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

2.  Spend time praying daily. Prayer is simply talking to God. A simple formula to follow when praying is “A.C.T.S.” - adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. When praying, make sure to praise God for who He is, to honestly confess your sins to Him, to thank Him for what He's done for you and to ask Him for what you need. Be open during prayer for God to speak to you about anything He may want you to be doing or changing in your life.

“You do not have because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2) “I love the Lord, because He hears my prayers and answers them. Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I live.” (Psalm 116:1-2; paraphrase)

3. Stay in fellowship. In other words maintain close relationships with other Christians. At Lighthouse Vineyard, believers stay in fellowship by regularly attending one of our weekend services and by joining one of our small groups. As a new Christian, you may want to consider joining a discipleship group. We have discipleship groups designed for new believers. These groups will help get them off to a good start as Christians. We follow the Jesus "model" of discipleship. Jesus not only taught His disciples, He also spent time in relationship with them, showing them how to live for God. We are starting up discipleship groups all the time at Lighthouse Vineyard, so call the church office to find out about one that is right for you.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer...Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God...” (see Acts 2:42-47)

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

4. Share Jesus with others. Jesus told the disciples to go  into the world and make disciples. The easiest way to begin to help others begin in discipleship is to be a  witness for Christ. This means you are to tell others what the Lord has done for you. You don't need to worry about "knowing it all" you can just tell your story. Sharing your story of your journey toward Christ (“your testimony”) is one of the best ways of helping others find Him. There are benefits in it for you as well. Sharing your faith will cause you to discover what you really believe and why, enabling you to partner with the Lord in His plan for the world.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)

“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” (Philemon 6).

“We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
 

If you would like more information about these or any other opportunities for spiritual growth and training at Lighthouse Vineyard, please call the church office at 541-574-4499

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