Arise & Shine For Jesus Ministry
The Waste Places Shall Be Restored,Isaiah 58:12
Now What? Day 2 - Where Do I Go From Here?
Today's Bible Reading: John 4, 5, and 6
On the last page of chapter 1 I told you that you're a spiritual baby and that you need to grow. Where do you go from here?
I could have asked, "Where do you grow from here?"
You need to grow up spiritually.
Isn't it tragic when, because of physical affliction, a child fails to mature and mentally remains a baby all his life? Actually, it's even more tragic when a person becomes a child of God through salvation and then fails to grow up spiritually.
This doesn't have to happen to you. If you will follow these suggestions, you can quickly become a strong, mature Christian.
But Seek Ye First, The Kingdom of God, Matthew 6:33
Home
First of all, remember that your spiritual life comes from Jesus Christ, the Son of God. "He that have the Son hath life"
(1 John 5:12). (This is the Epistle of John toward the end of the Bible, not the Gospel of John.) the preceding verse says, "God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."
Christ lives in you. Don't forget it.
Receiving life is not enough; you must feed that life.
When a baby is born in the natural, it will die unless its parents take care of it. They must feed it and nourish it's physical life so it will grow.
This is also true in relation to your new spiritual life. If you feed it, it will grow; if you neglect it, it will die.
It's as simple as that. It depends on you. Now, what will cause you to grow spiritually?
THE BIBLE
Tomorrow we'll talk more about the Bible. Your use or neglect of the Bible will determine the kind of Christian you will be. This is why we're suggesting that you read three chapters each day this week. Get in the habit of reading the Bible every day. "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2)
PRAYER
In chapter 4 we'll talk about the various kinds of prayer and how to pray effectively. The simplest way to describe prayer is that it is talking to God and letting Him talk to us. Make time every day to pray. The best time is the first thing in the morning, before you get involved with other activities. Talk to Him as you would to a friend-for He is your best FRIEND. Don't worry about using the right words. God is more concerned with your attitude than with your vocabulary.
WITNESSING
Tell others about what has happened to you. A witness is someone who testifies about something he has learned for himself. If you have learned that Jesus satisfies, let others know about it too.
Witnessing is inviting people to get acquainted with Jesus. Let them know how wonderful your new FRIEND can be to them. Witnessing will make you a stronger Christian.
REGULAR CHURCH ATTENDANCE
If you take a live coal from the fireplace and put it by itself, it will soon go out. In the same way, Christians need the encouragement of other Christians. Hearing the Word of God, praying with others, singing together, making Christian friendships-these will help you to grow.
OBEDIENCE
When God asks you to do or not to do something, obey quickly. Jesus is your MASTER as well as your SAVIOR. A good rule for deciding what is right or wrong is:
WILL THIS BE PLEASING TO GOD?
Make this the ruling factor in all you do or say.
I'm glad to tell you that spiritual maturity does not depend on how long you have been saved. If you will follow these simple steps, you will become a mature Christian, one of who God is proud, on HE can use.
Bible Study For Today
John 4:10, What did Jesus offer to give this woman?
John 4:14, What will be the result if a person drinks of the water Jesus gives?
John 4:24, How are we to worship God?
John 5:39, What advice about the Bible did Jesus give?
John 6:35, What did Jesus call himself?
Good Verses To Memorize:
John 4:14;
John 5:14 (Beginning with "Behold")
John 5:24
John 6:37
© 1964 by Gospel Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Isaiah 60:1, Arise, shine; for thy light is come,
and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
