First Steps: Receiving the Promises of Christ

Those who have ears, let them hear! 

Jesus is calling you into His kingdom right now, right here on earth. He came into the world to save the world, to forgive your sin, and to give His own life to redeem you from the power of death. He made these promises to those who believe in Him, that He is the Son of God:

  • He promised to cleanse you from your sin and to make you a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
  • He promised that His Spirit would come, live within you, and help you to abide in Him. (John 14:26)
  • He promised to give you a joy and a "peace that passes all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)
  • He promised you would have eternal life with Him. (1 John 2:25)

In this crazy world, there is a crazy kind of joy that rises above whatever our circumstances may be! There is nothing you can do to earn it, it is freely yours if you just accept it. 


If you have not experienced this gift of grace from God, earnestly pray this prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, I admit that I’ve fallen short. I’ve sinned and need your forgiveness. I believe that You lived, died and rose again so that I could be connected to God. I confess you as my Lord and commit my life to You. I give you my past, present and future. Take my life and use it. I give it to You. Amen.   


If you have prayed this prayer, there are some important next steps you can take:  1) Join a group of Christians who can nurture your newfound faith. 2) Read your Bible! Start with the gospel of John or the book or Romans. 3) Tell the pastor that you have just committed your life to Christ and ask him what you can do next. 4) Pray! Confess your sins to God and ask for the Holy Spirit to help you live as a new creation in Christ. 5) Look for God at work in the world around you, through His church especially, and experience His ways of doing miraculous work in people's lives.

Websites for Bible Study and Devotions at Home

Upper Room Devotionals:  https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals


The Bible Project: www.bibleproject.com - free videos and resources for all ages to learn about the Bible at home


Bible Basics (The Bible Project) on YOUTUBE.


Bible Gateway:  www.biblegateway.com - read, hear and study Scripture at the world's most visited Christian website. Grow your faith with devotionals, Bible reading plans, and mobile apps. 


Family Devotions for Christmas:

Bible Study for Luke Chapters 1 & 2 with video from The Bible Project.

Children's Activity page from the Children's Ministry at Community United Methodist Church.



Growing in Faith

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (NIV)

Bibliography of Recommended Christian Literature

40 Days with Wesley: A Daily Devotional Journey by Rueben P. Job - In an accessible, inviting formal, this forty-day devotional weaves inspirational readings on faith and prayer from United Methodist Bishop Rueben P. Job, with quotes and excerpts from John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement. Each selection offers a prayer, scripture, a short reading, quotes from John Wesley, and a blessing to take with you through the day. 


The Cost of Discipleship, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer -  one of the most important theologians of the twentieth century illuminates the relationship between ourselves and the teachings of Jesus in this classic book on living as a Christian.