Welcome to a
Wonderful Life
Produced by Behrman Ministries
A handbook of helps for the new Christian.
A pocket guide for the soul winner.
A brief overview of basic Bible Doctrines.
Powerful scriptures for successful living.
Dedicated to YOU!
This is a wonderful day.
You have made a
great discovery:
God loves you!
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
Isn’t that
great news?
Your discovery of this
has started many
Wonderful Things
coming your way.
Such as...
TODAY is a wonderful day.
Jesus himself has paid the price for your salvation.
"You were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver and gold ... but with the precious blood of Christ ... (1 Peter 1:18-19).
This is the day of new beginnings.
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Corinthians 6:2).
God has spoken to your heart, and you know that his Word, the Bible, is true.
"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).
You have seen the value of your soul.
"For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul" (Mark 8:36).
You have seen yourself as you actually were - a lost sinner.
"All have sinned" (Romans 3:23).
You have turned from your sins completely, to follow the Lord.
"He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).
You believe on Jesus in your heart and you are not ashamed to call him your Lord.
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).
You have called on his name in prayer. "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).
You have received Jesus Christ as your savior and are now in his family.
"But as many as received him, to them He gave the right to become children of God..." (John 1:12).
You are forgiven and your sins are washed away.
"The blood of Jesus Christ ... cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
You have been born again.
"Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. You must be born again" (John 3:3,7).
It was your faith in Christ that brought salvation not your good deeds.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith ... it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
You now have eternal life.
"The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
YOUR HEART HAS BEEN CHANGED. YOU ARE A NEW PERSON. YOU ARE A TRUE CHRISTIAN.
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new" (II Corinthians 5:17).
You now have his life and nature in you.
"There are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that through these you might be partakers of the divine nature ..." (II Peter 1:4).
Jesus took your sin and has made you righteous.
"God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (II Cor. 5:21).
Now you have a friend that will always be faithful. If you are ever discouraged or tempted, remember you are never alone. He will be with you in every situation.
"For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
As a believer, you now have true joy and happiness.
"Now ... you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8).
Now you know you are saved.
"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16).
You have made the most important decision of your life.
Congratulations!
This is the beginning of a Wonderful Life for you.
Now, there
are more
Wonderful Things
in store for you ...
"If you will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God ... all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you" (Deuteronomy 8:1-2).
THE CHURCH
Attend church regularly and as often as possible. Make it a point to be in the Sunday worship services, the Bible studies, and other special services offered by the church.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together ..." (Hebrews 10:25).
Take your Bible and sit near the front. Enter in and participate in the service.
"... they were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God ..." (Luke 24:53).
Enjoy the fellowship of God’s people.
"Then they that feared the Lord spoke to one another ..." (Malachi 3:16).
When you have questions, seek the advice of the pastor and other spiritual leaders of the church.
"He who heeds counsel is wise" (Proverbs 12:15).
Opportunities will come for you to serve in the church. Be a willing worker.
"For we are God’s fellow workers" (I Corinthians 3:9).
THE BIBLE
Read a portion of the Bible -- God’s Word -- regularly, every day.
"As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (I Peter 2:2).
A good place to begin is in the New Testament. Start with the book of John. After you have finished the New Testament, read the rest of the Bible.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16).
Memorize at least a verse or two every week.
"Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You" (Psalms 119:11).
Study of the scriptures builds your faith.
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).
Apply the Word of God to your own life.
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only ..." ( James 1:22).
Application of the scriptures produces spiritual growth and spiritual growth produces spiritual fruit.
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control ..." (Galatians 5:22-23).
WATER BAPTISM
The word "baptize"means to immerse, to dip, to submerge.
"Jesus ... was baptized by John in the Jordan" (Mark 1:9). "... because there was much water there" ( John 3:23).
Baptism in water follows conversion.
"Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized ..." Acts 2:38).
Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples... , baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" ( Matthew 28:19).
DIVINE HEALING
The Lord is the Healer of man’s spirit, soul and body.
"I am the Lord who heals you" (Exodus 15:26).
"He sent his word and healed them:" (Psalms 107:20).
"The prayer of faith will save the sick... Pray for one another, that you may be healed" (James 5:14,16).
"They (the believers) will lay hands on the sick and they will recover" (Mark 16:18).
PRAYER
Prayer is talking with God, not only in church or when one is in a difficult situation, but anywhere, anytime.
"Pray without ceasing" (I Thess. 5:17).
Prayer may be audible or silent, in private or in the company of others.
You can pray for your own needs to be met. You should pray for others, too.
"Pray for one another ..." (James. 5:16).
Prayer is a privilege and a mighty force.
"Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them" (Mark 11:24).
"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him" (I John 5:14,15).
PRAISE
Praise is joyously giving thanks to God for who he is or for something He has done or promised to do.
"Praise him for his mighty acts" (Psalms 150:2).
It can be done when you are alone. Or it may be in public with believers, or as an individual "testimony" you share with others.
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!" (Psalms 150:6).
WORSHIP
Worship is expressing one’s devotion to the Lord because of who He is. We worship him from our heart. We can do it in our private times with God or with other Christians.
"Give unto the LORD the glory due His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" (Ps 29:2).
"Make a joyful shout to the Lord ..." (Psalms 100:1). Hallelujah!
"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord" (Psalms 134:2). Amen!
"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker" (Psalms 95:6).
HOLY SPIRIT
Every believer should be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
"For the promise is to you, and to your children and ... as many as the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2:39).
It is the command of God.
"Be filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18).
The Bible tells us how the Early Church received the Holy Spirit baptism.
"They worshiped Him... with great joy, and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God" (Luke 24:52-53).
"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4).
Sometimes they received the Holy Spirit when other Christians laid their hands on them and prayed.
"They laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:17).
In the New Testament church, they knew when believers had received the Holy Spirit.
"For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God" (Acts 10:46).
Believe, desire, expect, praise, receive!
SOUL WINNING
Begin now to win others to Christ.
"He who wins souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30).
Tell them what Jesus has done for you. Tell what He will do for them.
Jesus said, "You shall be witnesses to Me" (Acts 1:8).
Learn the joy of introducing a soul to Christ.
"Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:20).
Be alert for opportunities to speak to others about Jesus.
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).
Be prepared to explain God’s plan of salvation in the Word of God. (See page 28)
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone that asks you the reason for the hope that is in you" (I Peter 3:15).
POWER OVER SIN
God’s word tells us that we can be victorious over sin.
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world ... our faith" (I John 5:4).
There may be times when you are tempted to sin or turn away from God. In those times, remember you are now a child of God and resist Satan in Jesus name.
"Blessed is the man who endures temptation ...Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 1:12, 4:7).
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way to escape, that you may be able to bear it" (I Corinthians 10:13).
If you ever sin or fail God, don’t give up or turn away. Just come to him and confess your sin, he will immediately forgive you.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).
A CHRISTIAN HOME
It is God’s will for your family to be saved.
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and your household" (Acts 16:31).
Set a regular time for family devotions -- Scripture reading and prayer -- even if you are the only one willing to participate. Then, pray the others in, one by one.
"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" ( Joshua 24:15).
Be an example of godliness in your home.
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus..." (Colossians 3:17).
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
There are supernatural gifts that God has provided for us to more effectively serve him and to also be a blessing to other people.
"They went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying of signs" (Mark 16:20).
"For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, ... to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, ... to another faith by the same Spirit, ... to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, ... to another the working of miracles, ... to another prophecy, ... to another discerning of spirits, ... to another different kinds of tongues, ... to another the interpretation of tongues. ... But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills" (I Corinthians 12:8-10).
Pray that the Lord will allow spiritual gifts to operate in you.
"But earnestly desire the best gifts" (I Corinthians 12:31).
"Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts ..." (I Corinthians 14:1).
PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS
It is God’s will for us to prosper in every area of our life.
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers" (III John 2).
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. (II Corinthians 8:9).
God’s plan of prospering us begins with our giving.
"Give and it will be given to you, good measure ... running over ..." (Luke 6:38).
"He who sows bountifully will reap also bountifully" (II Corinthians 9:6).
Tithing is part of God’s plan for your prosperity and success. One-tenth of your income belongs to God.
"All the tithe ... is the Lord’s ..." (Leviticus 27:30)
Our tithing and giving of offerings helps God’s work to be successful and also opens the doors of heaven’s blessings to us.
"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse --says the Lord of hosts ... and I will open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing ..." (Malachi 3:10).
Expect God to prosper and provide for you.
"And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).
Bring your tithes to your own church. You may also sense the Lord directing you to give offerings above your tithe. Be generous in your giving to missions, ministry to the needy and other places where the the gospel is being spread. Do it as you have opportunity. Do it joyfully. God loves a cheerful giver.
HEAVEN
The Christian doesn’t fear death because God’s word has promised us that we will live with him and all other true Christians forever.
"In My Father’s house are many mansions ...
I go to prepare a place for you" ( John 14:2).
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth... and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death ... neither shall there be any more pain" (Revelation 21:1, 4).
"Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20).
JESUS IS COMING
The Lord Jesus promised that he would return again. He will come to receive his church to himself.
"The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout ... and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And thus shall we always be with the Lord" (I Thess. 4:16-17).
"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Matthew 24:44).
"Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20).
YOU CAN TELL THE WORLD
The facts of death
"All have sinned" (Romans 3:23).
"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).
"But the cowardly and unbelieving ... shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire" (Revelation 21:8).
The facts of life
"... Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ..." (I Timothy 1:15).
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).
A prayer of salvation
Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God.
I believe that you came to earth to pay for the sins of the world.
I believe you died, and rose again and are alive today.
Jesus, I turn from my sins. I ask you to forgive me and come to live inside me and be my Lord and Savior. Amen.
Behrman Ministries is a missions organization based in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Its purpose is to strengthen the church in various nations of the world through the teaching and training of national workers in the truths of the Bible and through the planting of local churches
For more information please contact us:
email: Bill@behrman.org www.behrman.org
| Phone (918) 451-3342 | Fax (918) 451-4507 | |
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