Jesus Christ - the Way, the Truth, the Life

Here are a few very important things

you need to do from this point...

1) Pray!

Pray every day! Prayer is your communication link with God. He desires this fellowship with you on a daily basis. Talk to Him as though He's right beside you... as though He's your best friend. After all, that's exactly what and who He is! Call out to Him in the way that is easiest for you, and know that He will hear and answer your prayer! Simply calling out, "God, I need your help," will cause angels to be immediately dispersed to your assistance! Rest assured, He hears... so Pray!

2) Read the Bible!

Get a Bible that is easy for you to understand and begin reading in the New Testament. Read the books of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John to discover who you are in Christ, who you are as a child of God. Then read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) to learn more about the person of Jesus Christ... Who He was, where He went, what He did, and Who He Is today! This will help you to develop a greater appreciation and love for Jesus and what He did for you, and give you a love for God's Word.

3) Find and Get Involved in a Good, Bible-Based, New

Testament Local Church where God has placed His Name!

Find a Bible-based, New Testament Church where God has placed His Name and approval and begin regular attendance there so that you may learn, grow and mature spiritually. How do you know which churches God has chosen to place His Name and approval? Jesus said that these signs would follow the true believers in His name - they will cast out devils; they will speak with new tongues; they will pray for the sick and the sick will recover; they will demonstrate spiritual gifts (visible miracles, signs and wonders); they will preach the Gospel of Christ to everyone; they will raise high the standard of holiness, righteousness, and biblical New Testament truth; they will minister and encourage one another in the Love of the Lord. If the church you are familiar or associated with cannot be identified by those characteristics, find one that does! Special Note: When should you go to church?... Every time the doors are open!

4) Get Baptized in Water

Water baptism is symbolic of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. When we are immersed in the water, we represent Jesus' death and burial. But when we are raised out of the water, we represent His resurrection from the dead and our new life in Him (see Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21). This physical act is simply an outward expression of an inward spiritual change, and serves as our public testimony to the world that we have committed our lives to Christ and are living in submission to His will.

5) Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is a spiritual gift that you receive from the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus ascended back to heaven, He gave us a promise that He would send a Guide to lead us into all truth (see John 14:16-17, 15:26, 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:10). Jesus promised that we would receive a supernatural power once the Holy Ghost came upon us (Acts 1:8a). This enduement of power comes to enable us to live consecrated and sanctified (dedicated to God and separated as holy) lives before God and man, and to be an effective witness for Christ (Acts 1:8b). You see, getting saved gets you ready for heaven, but the Baptism in the Holy Spirit gets you ready for earth!

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is given freely to those who have been born again and are actively seeking to walk in purity and holiness before God (that's what we call living a continually sanctified life). In like manner to receiving salvation, you receive this spiritual gift by simply asking and receiving. Jesus promised that if you sought the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, you would surely receive (see Luke 11:9, 10:13; Acts 2:39)!

When you receive the Holy Ghost, a wonderful manifestation occurs to assure you that you have truly received this spiritual gift. The first initial evidence of the Holy Spirit's baptism is when you are enabled to speak in "other tongues" by the power of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:1-4). Tongues is a heavenly prayer language that is unknown to us, but is clearly understood by God, and on occasion is revealed to us. Tongues is not the only evidence you have been filled, but it is the first initial evidence.

Click Here for Pastor Carter's teaching on "How to Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit."

6) Begin Giving Tithes and Offerings

Once you become planted within a local church, begin observing the biblical ordinance of tithing. Tithing is when you return to God 10% of the financial income that He has allowed you to have. Giving an offering is sowing a financial seed above and beyond that of your tithe. Giving back the tithe to God rebukes the devourer (Satan) from eating your land (Mal. 3:7-11). In other words, when you give a tithe and offering of your financial increase, God sanctifies the whole lump and the devil can't steal away the rest that God has sanctified. Whatever you then do with the remaining sanctified amount also then becomes sanctified and the devil is forbidden from destroying it. God promises that when you are faithful to sow your tithes and offerings, He will then be faithful to open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing you won't have room enough to receive. Sowing your finances into a biblical local church will help to finance the spreading of the Gospel of Christ throughout the world. So receive a blessing, help spread the Gospel, and begin giving tithes and offerings!

7) Share Your Newfound Faith!

Share your newfound faith with those around you! Jesus wants to reach others through you! He wants your family and friends to experience the same free gift of salvation that you have received, and the person He has chosen to reach them is you! It's important to be a willing vessel that the Lord can use to reach others! Now that you are on your way to Heaven, do your best to take others with you! Share with your family, friends, and coworkers what God has done for you! Don't expect it to be easy - it will be a challenge...but just think of what they have to lose if they never meet the Lord, and what they have to gain of they simply say Yes to Jesus!

Would you like to leave any prayer requests for Pastor Carter and the Living Waters Church family to pray for? To do so, just visit the Prayer Chapel.

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