how to change
your story
Your Life: A New Beginning
(adapted from the North American Mission Board)
Every one of us has a life story.
Chapter one begins at birth and the last chapter ends at death.
In between, it is filled with happiness, sadness, success, failure, and so much more!
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How is your story going?
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How will your story end?
The truth is that we never know when the last chapter in our life story is being written.
God has a story, too.
It is found in the Bible – God’s love story to us.
In the Bible we discover some important truths:
1. God is interested in YOUR life story.
He created YOU.
“For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made...”
Psalm 139:13-14
He knows YOU.
“…Lord…You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts…You are familiar with all my ways.”
Psalm 139:1-3
He loves YOU.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
He has a plan for YOU.
“…I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10
God wants to fill your life story with meaning now and to give you His gift of eternal life.
Most people do not experience the full meaningful life God offers because…
2. Sin stands in the way of God’s story for your life.
We are all sinners by nature and by choice.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23
We all fall short of God’s standard of perfection. Sin is going OUR way. We don’t experience the full, meaningful life God offers because we are attempting to write our own story instead of trusting Him with our lives.
Our sin separates us from God.
“For the wages of sin is (eternal) death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
As a result of our sin, the final chapter of our story ends in death and defeat in this life, and separation and suffering in the afterlife. But God loves us and has provided a way for us to experience the forgiveness of sin, abundant life here, and everlasting life in heaven with Him.
3. Only Jesus can change your life story.
Jesus is God
“In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
John 1:1,14
He died on the cross for us.
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that he was raised again the third day…”
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
He is the only way to God.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
4. You must make Jesus the author of your life story.
You must personally receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”
John 1:12
You must turn from your sin and self and turn to God.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out...”
Acts 3:19
Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sin. It is choosing to turn to God and away from our sin.
You must place your faith (trust) in Jesus.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
It is not enough just to know the facts about Jesus. Faith is putting your trust in Jesus.
It is like taking a trip on an airplane. You will never make the trip until you trust the airplane enough to board it.
Would you like to make Jesus the author of your life story?
“If you declare 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
When guests knock at the door of your home, it is easy to receive them. You simply open the door and invite them in. Receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and acknowledging Him as Lord is similar to this. Through prayer you can simply and sincerely ask Him into your heart and life.
Remember that the sincere attitude of you heart is more important than just reciting words. God knows your heart. Use the following prayer as a guide.
Dear Jesus,
I want to follow You. I turn from my sin and place my trust in You alone and ask for Your forgiveness. I receive Your gift of eternal life and confess You as Lord. Thank You for loving me and dying for me. Thank You for giving me new life with You.
Amen.
Congratulations!
If you have...
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Repented by turning away from your sins and turning to Jesus- choosing to follow His example and to live your life as He lived
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Trusted in Jesus for your salvation through faith in Him
Then a new chapter in your life story has just begun!
“Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.”
John 6:47
“Happily ever after” is at the end of many stories. Most of them are fairy tales, but the story that Jesus has begun writing with your life is true! Through Jesus, you can weather any storm of life and endure any trial. And you will thrive in God’s love…both here and hereafter.
Truly, with Jesus, you have a new beginning!
“…rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20
Four ways to grow as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Read the Bible every day.
Learn as much as you can about Jesus. (Start with the Gospel of John.)
Pray throughout your day.
Prayer is talking with God. You can pray anytime, even when you sin or fail. There isn’t a special way to pray. Just talk to God about anything and everything that you are happy, worried, or sad about. Talk with Him when you’re not sure of something or just to talk! God can handle all of your emotions, He did create them, after all. If you don’t have the words, the Holy Spirit will intercede for you – just spend time in His presence.
Attend a good church.
Go to a church where Jesus is honored, the Bible is taught, and everyone is welcomed.
Tell someone.
who will be happy to hear of your commitment to Jesus. When we ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, angels rejoice! (Luke 15:10) Sharing your new walk with Jesus with someone who can encourage you in your faith is a great way to connect and bring more glory to our God!
Come visit us at: Palestine Baptist Church! 9244 Smith Mountain Lake Pkwy. Huddleston, VA 24104
or e-mail: david@pbc-sml.com
Baptism
After placing your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, baptism is your next step! The Bible teaches that baptism is the first step of obedience after asking Him to be our Lord.
“…rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20
By being baptized in water, you are:
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Following the example of Jesus.
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Publicly declaring your relationship with Him.
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Symbolizing your death to sin and new life in Christ.
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Receiving the blessing of your heavenly Father.
We baptize by immersing people completely under water because that is how Jesus was baptized. It is also how every baptism described in Acts was performed. It is the best representation of death, burial, and resurrection. If you were baptized as a baby, we celebrate that with you, but Jesus taught baptism after you become a disciple (Matthew 28:19).
We can have baptisms any Sunday at the beginning of the 10:45 AM service. We also try to schedule at least one special baptism service at the lake each year.
If you want more information or to talk with someone, fill out our contact form and we’ll call you!
How can we pray for you?
We are a praying community! We have seen God do amazing miracles in answer to our prayers. We want to pray for you!
If you have a prayer request, please use this form to let us know. Visit our Prayer Request page to learn more about how we pray for you and our Prayer Team!