A Beginner's Guide to Following Jesus

Are you searching for answers on how to have faith, especially when life seems like a whirlwind of uncertainties? Maybe you're new to this journey of following Jesus, or perhaps you've been walking with Him for some time but want to deepen your understanding of faith. Well, you're in the right place! In this blog post, we'll embark on an incredible adventure together as we explore the basics of faith and discover how to take our next steps in growing closer to Jesus.

Following Jesus is not about having all the answers; it's about taking the first step, trusting Him, and allowing Him to lead the way."

Faith, the Heart of Our Journey: At the core of every believer's journey lies faith. It's not just some abstract concept or religious jargon; faith is the very heartbeat of our relationship with God. So, what exactly is faith? Simply put, it's believing and trusting in something or someone that we cannot see with our physical eyes. As Hebrews 11:1 puts it, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith empowers us to embrace hope, conquer doubts, and walk confidently in God's promises.

"Being a beginner in following Jesus is a beautiful place to be; it's an invitation to embrace grace, learn, and grow in His love.

Walking in Faith - Where Do I Start? You might be wondering, "Okay, I get it, faith is vital, but how do I actually have faith? Where do I begin?" Great questions! Let's start with the basics - prayer, fasting, and forgiveness. These are powerful practices that can ignite the fire of faith within us.

As a beginner in following Jesus, you may stumble and fall, but His hand is always there to lift you up and guide you forward.

1. Prayer - Our Heart-to-Heart Connection: Prayer is our direct line of communication with God. It's not about using fancy words or impressing others but rather opening our hearts honestly and vulnerably to our Heavenly Father. Through prayer, we develop a deep and intimate relationship with God, sharing our joys, fears, and hopes with Him. In return, we experience His love, guidance, and peace that surpasses all understanding.

2. Fasting - Feeding Our Souls: Fasting may sound challenging, but it's a beautiful discipline that helps us focus on God and draw closer to Him. When we fast, we intentionally set aside time from certain activities or pleasures, redirecting our attention to seek God's presence and wisdom. As we deny ourselves physically, we find our souls being nourished and strengthened, aligning with God's purposes and experiencing breakthroughs in our faith journey.

3. Forgiveness - Setting Hearts Free: Forgiveness is a powerful tool that sets both ourselves and others free. By embracing forgiveness, we release the burden of holding grudges and resentment, allowing God's love and grace to heal our hearts. When we forgive others as Jesus forgave us, we walk in freedom and experience the transformative power of God's love.

Join the Faith Journey - Starting on August 13th: Friends, this is just the beginning of our faith journey together. Starting on August 13th, we'll be diving deep into these foundational aspects of faith during our worship service at 10:00 am. Our very own Pastor Mike Killeen will be leading this transformative teaching series. Don't miss out on this opportunity to grow in your faith and discover the incredible joy of following Jesus!