Whether you have decided to rededicate your life or accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior publicly or in the privacy of your heart this will be one of, if not the most, life altering decisions that you will ever make. Most people do not immediately have a transformation that eliminates all sinful behavior and bad habits or willingness to honor the Great Commission. Through life you grow and learn, experience trials and success, and sickness and health. You will still experience these, however, the journey will be different with Jesus in your life. Just like with an infant the first years are the most formative, the beginning of your work with Jesus is equally as important. Here are four key actions that will help you on the beginning of your journey:
Read the Word daily.
This is the best way to draw nearer to God and to develop a relationship with Him. You will also strengthen your faith and learn scripture that you can recall when you need it. The Lord said that His Word shall not return void. (Isaiah 11:55). In order for you to know that God’s word has not returned void you have to know what he has said.
Spend time with the Lord daily.
You can do this through prayer, mediation, reading His word, reading books by spiritual leaders, and listening to and participating in praise and worship. Try to record your experiences, you never know when you may need to go back and reference a scripture or a song. Spending time with Him allows you to develop and strengthen a bond. It will change how you view things, interact with others, and cause to respond differently.
Change your lifestyle and surroundings.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Romans 12:2 (NIV).
This can be hard in some instances and easier in others. If you really want to live for God have the courage to change and distance yourself from unhealthy relationships. Pray and ask for clarity before acting. You never know who God may want to reach through you. You cannot expect to change or for change to happen in your life if you are doing the same thing before you turned your life over to Christ. If you are rededicating your life again some of the activities you have stumbled with or have hang ups maybe things you need to change, avoid, or dispose of from your life.
“We therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raided from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4 (NIV)
Surround yourself around Godly people.
Join a group or ministry at your church. I was taught to surround myself around the people who are where I want to be. No, you probably will not be able to go shopping with the first lady or golfing with the Pastor, but there are other people in the church that you can bond with. By surrounding yourself and participating in a ministry or small group your create Godly friendships and help with the accountability for your actions. Your group will also be a spiritual source of advice.
Be obedient to GOD and HIS word.
“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse-the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your GOD that I am giving you today; the curse if from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28
Sometimes the Lord says no or wait. You may not understand at the moment but remember “lean not unto thine own understand.” Proverbs 3:5-7. Remember “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:31. Personally there are many situations in my life were had I been obedient I could have avoided a lot of stress and hardships. It was not that I had not listened to him I did not even consult Him. If he knows how many hairs are on your head (Matthew 10:30) and knew you before you were born (Jeremiah 1:5) he cares about every aspect of your life. God loves you no matter what you have done and you have a purpose in His kingdom.
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