I wish my friends told me this when I got saved...
Becoming a Christian is simple. It’s as easy as A, B, C….
A – Admit that you’re a sinner and in need of God’s forgiveness
B – Believe that Jesus died on the cross for you
C – Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior
In less than a minute, your life changes forever!
No fancy, complicated formulas necessary.
A short prayer from the heart, and you are good to go.
Oh, happy day!
The Problem: Simple doesn’t mean easy. Actually living like a follower of Jesus daily is easier said than done.
I was 30 years old when I surrendered my life to the Lord.
Radical change of the heart.
I was on cloud nine.
Set free and on fire for Jesus.
It’s a day I will never forget.
I remember the next day too.
It still sticks with me {like glue}.
Clear as day.
And clear as mud.
I remember wondering, “Now what?”
I was full of faith but totally oblivious.
Full of more questions than answers.
What do ‘good’ Christian women do?
What do they say?
How do they act?
What do they wear?
Where do they go?
I was pretty sure I shouldn’t cuss, get drunk, dabble with drugs, sleep around, lie or steal anymore. {Duh}
But what about the not so obvious other stuff:
Are cigarettes a sin?
How many glasses of wine are allowed?
Can I wear a bikini?
How far is too far with a guy?
Is it okay to hang out in bars?
Are R-rated movies off-limits now?
What about romance novels?
Does this mean I can’t drive past the speed limit?
I needed the ‘Christianity for Dummies’ guide book – STAT.
There was a whole new set of guidelines to follow.
I desperately wanted to live out my faith.
But I had no clue how?
Just because we say a prayer doesn’t mean we automatically know what to do and say or how to act and feel.
I knew I could find ALL the answers in the Bible.
But, it’s such a big book!
So many words.
I didn’t know where to begin?
A ‘Girlfriend’s Guide to Christianity’ would have been my BFF {if only I had one}.
Here’s one thing I’ve learned in the past 20 years of chasing after Jesus.
Getting saved is not a one-and-done moment in time.
It’s a constant conversation- with Jesus, myself, and others.
It’s a way of life.
That’s why we are called to be disciples.
Disciple (the noun): a follower of Jesus.
Disciple (the verb): to teach or train.
Discipleship: (the lifestyle): a doer of the word.
*Can I take a minute and tell you about my dad?
Arthur Dennis Stevens knew at the age of 6 what he wanted to be when he grew up – an architect. As a result, he knew he wanted to learn from the best. At 17, he became one of the youngest apprentices to study under Frank Lloyd Wright (American Institute of Architects’ “greatest American architect of all time).” Wright’s philosophy for the apprenticeship was simple – learn by doing.
During my dad’s apprenticeship, his studies reached far and wide – well beyond drafts, drawings, and blueprints. Each apprentice lived, worked, and studied with the ‘Master.’
Serving + Observing
Listening + Learning
Watching + Working
Gathering + Questioning
Hmmm, could Wright’s model be a blueprint for how to be a disciple of Christ {see what I did there}?
As disciples, we are on assignment from The Master {Jesus Christ}
We have a specialized job {know God and make Him Know}
Through on-the-job training {how we live life}.
Called to learn by doing {listen and obey}.
Check out what the Bible says…
Jesus said to the people who believed in him {that’s you},
“You are truly my disciples {followers of Jesus}
IF you remain faithful to my teachings {become a doer of the word}.
And you will know the truth,
And the truth will set you free.” {that’s a promise}
John 8:31-31 (TPT)
This verse implies action {if > then}.
Remaining idle isn’t an option.
Disciples don’t sit on the sidelines.
Discipleship isn’t a spectator sport.
They get in the game.
Because they know there is work to be done.
Top 5 ways to be a disciple of Christ:
1. Know His Teachings
If we are to remain faithful to his teachings, we must first know his teachings. The Bible is our road map, answer key, and source of truth for all the things.
God says, “By your words, I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.” Psalm 119: 105 (MSG)
Walk it out: Spend time in the word, His book, His truth – The Bible. Make this a daily habit. The more you know, the more you grow!
Not sure where to start? Here are some quick tips:
- Proverb every day: Example – On the 9th day of the month, read Proverbs 9.
- Follow a plan: Download the You Version Bible app {my personal fav}. Pick a plan + read through it.
- The Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. A great way to get to know Jesus and his character. Discover what he is like as a person.
- 10 mins: Set a timer and read bit by bit each day.
Bonus: Find a friend to read along with you. It helps with accountability and gives you fun stuff to chat about.
2. Remain faithful
Trust that He will care for you, follow where He leads, and love Him every step of the way. Being faithful also means that there will be some evidence of your faith in God.
Let’s be clear.
Being faithful does not mean:
You have to be perfect {phew}.
You won’t struggle {darn}
You won’t make poor decisions {ouch}.
Faithful does mean:
You will trust God.
Follow his commandments.
God says, “…remain faithful to the day you die, and I will give you the victor’s crown of life.” Rev 2:10 (TPT)
Walk it out: Be a doer of the word. Listen and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit – no matter what. Even when life is hard, and you don’t understand. And especially when you don’t feel like it.
Bonus: Get alone with God. Be still and be quiet. He longs to speak to you. He will show you the way.
3. Lifestyle of Repentance
Repentance goes beyond I’m sorry – although sorrow and regret are a piece of the pie. Repentance is more than that. It includes CHANGE – in your heart, actions, and behaviors. It means turning away from your bad habits, poor choices, and mistakes {that’s a nice way of saying sin} and running closer toward God. Simply put, repentance adds steps to your faith.
Not sure if you need to repent? No problem. Ask God. You can bet your bottom dollar that the Holy Spirit is on standby, ready, and willing to show you areas in your heart in need of repentance. You’ll know it too; the Lord can be Captain Obvious sometimes – queue the racing heart, sweaty palms, distractions when trying to meet with God, uncomfortable situations, or awkwardness when facing someone. Yup, pretty sure you’ve felt one or two of those things before {Lord, knows I do all the time}. Hint – If you’ve lost your peace – there’s a good chance you need to repent for something you’ve said or done.
Now is the time to tighten your ponytail, take a deep breath and discover the courage inside you didn’t know existed. Just do it. Believe that your peace is worth fighting for. Trust that obedience to God pays off – every single time. Know that there is freedom on the other side of your struggle.
God says, “And now you must repent and turn back to God so that your sins will be removed and so that times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence.” Acts 3:19 (TPT)
Walk it out: Pause. Take inventory. Listen and obey the Holy Spirit. Talk to God about it. Have the hard conversations with others if needed? Then do whatever is necessary to ensure you can change your ways. Remove all temptations, ask for accountability, and check in often and always with God {He’ll direct your steps}.
4. Get involved in a local church
Biblically based churches exist to grow a community of passionate followers of Jesus Christ who impact their world.
Being a part of a local body of believers is essential to your growth and maturity in Christ. The local church provides an outlet for you to apply what the Bible says to your everyday life. In other words, the church offers opportunities to grow as a disciple.
Let me count the ways…
- Serve one another – in love
- Equip the saints for ministry {that’s you and your calling}
- Care for widows, orphans, and those with physical needs
- Worship collectively
- Read and study scripture
- Protect the gospel and church from false teachers and deception.
- Accountability, discipleship, and a community in which to confess sins and grow spiritually.
That ^^ sounds like my idea of a good time. More of that, please.
But don’t take my word for it. Here’s what the Bible says about the value of church:
God says, “Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love. 25 This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning”. Hebrews 10:24-25 (TPT)
Walk it out: Find a biblically-based local church. Visit a bunch to find the right fit. Then commit, dive in and dig deep. Attend regularly, get involved, and watch God shine through it all.
5. Surround yourself with a community of believers
Friends who share your faith are pivotal to becoming a disciple of Christ. We can’t go at it alone {nor were we meant to}. Show me the 5 people you spend the most time with, and I’ll show you your future. Are your friends propelling you toward your purpose or pulling you away?
Here are some qualities to look for in a Godly girlfriend:
Female: Think pink. Girls are a girl’s best friend. Spill your guts to your gals. Save the nitty-gritty details of your life – crushes, heartbreaks, periods, past intimate experiences with guys, etc., for the females. Guys make great friends too, but you must proceed with caution and with safe boundaries. Free tip: if you don’t want to talk about it with your dad, don’t talk about it with your guy friends ☺
Jesus lover: God is her jam, and it shows.
Encourager: She’s your biggest fan, cheering you on every step of the way.
Truth Speaker: Good or bad, this gal will give it to ya raw and real. Always wrapped in love and backed by God’s word.
Prayer Warrior: She’s a warrior princess – ready and willing to go to battle for you in the spirit. She means it when she says she’ll pray for you {and you feel it}.
Forgiver: She’s quick to forgive and quicker to ask for forgiveness. It’s in her DNA – she’s unable to function in dysfunction.
God says, “It takes a grinding wheel to sharpen a blade, and so one person sharpens the character of another.” Proverbs 27:17 (TPT)
Walk it out: Need some Godly Girlfriends? Your local church is a great place to start. Join a small group, attend a women’s event or start volunteering. Before you know it, you’ll have a tribe on your side. You’ll wonder how you ever managed life without them? Seek them, and you will find them!
Living like a follower of Jesus daily is easier said than done.
But betting on Jesus is a sure thing {wait, is betting okay?}.
Trusting and obeying Jesus is always worth it.
To Sum it All Up…
On You:
Know the Word.
Do what the Bible says.
Listen and obey.
Remain faithful.
Over and over and over again.
‘Til death do you part.
On God:
Fulfill His promises.
Answer when you call.
Forgive you.
Never leave you.
Always love you.
We are called to shine like bright lights to the world
My beloved ones, just like you’ve always listened to everything I’ve taught you in the past, I’m asking you now to keep following my instructions as though I were right there with you. Now you must continue to make this new life fully manifested as you live in the holy awe of God—which brings you trembling into his presence. Philippians 2:12 (TPT)
Let’s walk our faith out.
*It’s my honor and joy to write a bit about my late father {Gosh, I miss him}. It’s one way I get to carry on his legacy {as I type through tears}. Thank you for indulging me and allowing me to brag on him for a bit. You can discover more about his legacy by clicking here: Stevens Signature Homes
