Clarity - Consistency - Creativity
Gives you a pathway in four beginning steps: Open your heart to God Grow relationships Spiritual acts Yes, you can have a dynamic, ever-growing relationship with the God of the Universe. You can learn personally of His love, his justice, his power, his plan. He reveals Himself in relationship with us as we open our hearts to Him. Talking with God and listening to Him forms the foundation of your faith. Although you can talk to Him anywhere, at any time, you’ll be stronger in your faith if you set aside a time to meet with Him, away from distractions and interruptions. Use a notebook to record the date and what thoughts God impressed on you, or even problems that may be on your mind that you want to bring up with Him. After talking with Him, ask for peace and guidance about any issues you are facing that day. God not only listens, but he acts on your behalf. Be ready for Him to be active in your relationships and in the situations you discuss with Him. But he is willing to forgive if we are willing to acknowledge that we are in the wrong. A ‘cleansing moment’ can be part of your daily talks with God. Just ask forgiveness for your most recent failings and any past sins that come to mind. Believe that He will help you overcome when facing those challenges next time, and expect to grow toward his standard of a holy life. Open your ears to hear His quiet warnings of situations and activities to avoid as you go through your day. And immediately ask for His forgiveness if you slip up; don’t allow a mistake to take you away from His love and blessing. Worshipful meditation: Following Christ involves training our minds to a whole new way of thinking. Focus on Him at various moments throughout the day. Learn to carry an inspirational verse or song in your mind when you are driving, cooking, working, eating, or any time when anxious or tempting thoughts try to intrude. Make your mind a place where God is welcome by filling it with His pure truth. Music is an incredible tool for keeping our hearts open to God. Find music that lifts your heart to Him in worship, expresses your questions or struggles to Him or just fills you with joy in your faith. Avoid music that makes you feel bleak, empty or angry. Your Pastor, worship leader or local Christian bookstore can make suggestions of inspiring groups in your favorite style. Obedience: When our hearts are open to God, we are ready and willing to obey what He asks of us. He communicates His plans for us through His word, the Bible. Bringing your life in line with His values releases the joy and fulfillment that you crave. Set your heart to learn and obey all His life-giving commands. “The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” Psalm 19:8b NIV Asking Him questions: God is not afraid of our honest questions. In fact, we grow closer to him when we bring these issues to Him and listen for His response. Write down your questions and the answers you are hearing from Him to share with your Pastor or mentor for confirmation. Your first command to obey is an easy one – Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 NIV If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NIV May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. Matthew 28:20 NIV 2. Find music that will uplift your spirit. Check the Christian 3. Print or copy out the eight verses to carry with you for 4. Find an established Christian at your church who will follow up on these 
Learn the Word of God
Acknowledge God’s presence with you at this moment.
Praise Him for rescuing you. Commit to following His path
Open your heart to God
away for a while. Now you have the incredible opportunity to know Him, the creator of the universe.
How does one small human get to know the creator?
Open your heart through heart-to-heart talks with Him
Open your heart through asking forgiveness of past mistakes or wrong lifestyle choices
Open your heart through worshipful meditation
Open your heart through song
Open your heart through obedience
Open your heart through asking Him questions
Open your heart through the spiritual act of water baptism
Heart-to-heart talks with God:
Go Deeper
Asking forgiveness of past mistakes
and wrong lifestyle choices:
A necessary part of relating to God is admitting that we are human, and we make mistakes that displease Him. His Purity is beyond what we can imagine, and we can never measure up to his exacting standards.
Meditating clarifies your life issues.
Spiritual Act 1 -- Water Baptism
Give a public visual demonstration of your new life through being baptized in water. Water baptism is simply being immersed in water as a picture of being cleansed by God’s grace. Some see it as a symbol of death and resurrection – dying to your previous lifestyle of ignoring God and being born again to a new life with God at the center. Your new church family will witness the baptism and welcome you as a new disciple of Christ.
Meditations -- Focus on these verses:
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Scripture references from New International Version, copyright International Bible Society.
Assignments for Segment 1:
day this week.
radio stations, CDs or download to your MP3 player. Begin
to learn the worship songs at church.
meditation. If you read them several times a day, you will
soon have them memorized. download here
discipleship segments with you. Make an appointment to meet them
before or after church next Sunday to discuss your progress.
Think about it...
