Living for Christ.

   Salvation is a beautiful thing. It's a celebration! I always get excited when someone gives their life to Christ, especially the youth! But is salvation just going up to the altar & saying "Jesus, I love you & I give my life to you. Save me now.", or is it more than that? What "modern" churches and youth ministries fail to tell us is that once you give your life to Christ some things HAVE to change. It's no longer what you want to do, but what God wants you to do. It's easier to proclaim salvation than to live it. In order for you to have TRUE salvation you have to make it a lifestyle. Everything about you has to change.
   You know, I used to get so frustrated when I would see the person who just got saved Sunday cursing on Facebook on Monday. It used to anger me! One day God spoke to me & said "don't get mad, DO SOMETHING!" So that's what I'm doing. He's reminding me right now that once in my life I did the same thing by confessing salvation & then just life any kind of way. That's not the way to do it. So, now that God is opening up my eyes & showing what I need to do, I'm gonna help you! (:
   Living for Christ is not an easy journey, but it is definitely worth it! Once you make the decision to live for Christ & to grow spiritually you must do these things:

1. Read the Bible

2. Go to Church

3. Change Your Ways

4. Find Godly Friends

5. PRAY!

1. It is important to read the Bible. The Bible is basic instructions to help us live a life pleasing to God. When you read the Bible you can learn more about Jesus & know who the savior really is.

2. Going to church can help you learn more about God too. It can help fellowship with others on the same path as you. It's always nice to gather in the house of the Lord.
3. Changing your ways is a big one! You can't say that you're saved but yet you're still cussing out people, partying, smoking, drinking, etc. No, when you give your life to Christ you give up all of those things for a life that is pleasing to God. Read Colossians 3:1-17
4. Having Godly friends is the best. Those are the people that you can talk about God with & you two can grow in God together. Try to separate yourself from those who do nothing but things of this world.
5. Praying is the best! It helps you to become more comfortable with God. Praying helps release things that were once holding you down. Talk to God with an open heart & He will listen & answer you.

  Choose to live for Christ & watch things start to make sense. It was the best decision I could make for myself. It's not easy, but stay in the race! Don't give up!! God is truly worth it all.

-Jamilya Lashay