God's Plan

What do you learn about God as you read the Bible; the Word of God? Through the Bible, you can discover peace when you are worried...

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. 
—Philippians 4:6-7

...and comfort when you are sad.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ. 
—2 Corinthians 1:3-5

One of the greatest discoveries in the Bible is new life—the gift of eternal life with Jesus. The Bible contains God’s plan of salvation and new life. To receive God's plan, you must…

Accept that God loves you. He loved you so much that He allowed His very own Son, Jesus, to take the blame for your sin.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” 
—John 3:16

Accept that Christ died for you and everyone who has sinned against Him.

But God commends his own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 
—Romans 5:8

Recognize that everyone sins. No exceptions!

But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance; to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.
—Romans 3:21-26

Recognize that sin separates you from God. The price you should reasonably pay is separation from God; death. But God has another way.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—Romans 6:23

Believe that Jesus is the answer. Believe in Jesus. The Bible says that believing Jesus is God’s Son is the first step toward faith.

They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 
—Acts 16:31

Admit to God that you are a sinner. Ask God to forgive you and allow you to live with Him forever.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 
—1 John 1:8-10

Change your ways and ask God to help you. Do an about-face. The Bible uses the word “repent,” meaning to turn 180 degrees and move your life in the opposite direction.

“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Christ Jesus, who was ordained for you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets.” 
—Acts 3:19-21

Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”
—Acts 2:38-39

Tell others about your faith in Jesus. Confess to others what Jesus has done for you and how He has changed your life.

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;” that is, the word of faith which we preach: that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation. 
—Romans 10:8-10

Read the Bible, the Word of God.

Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
—2 Timothy 3:16-17

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
—Hebrews 4:12

Join a fellowship of believers and grow there through worship, fellowship and service.

Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
—Colossians 3:12-16

Give of your time, your talent and your treasure.

Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia, how in much proof of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity. For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints. This was not as we had expected, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.
—2 Corinthians 8:1-6

Live in a way that pleases God. God wants us to follow His guidelines for living. This will be your testimony to your new life in Him.

“If you love me, keep my commandments.” 
—John 14:15

And in all and through all, pray.

“If I shut up the sky so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence amongst my people; if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
—2 Chronicles 7:13-14

The LORD is near to all those who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
—Psalm 145:18

“All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
—Matthew 21:22

“Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
—Matthew 26:41

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
—Philippians 4:6

Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus towards you.
—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men: for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.
—1 Timothy 2:1-2

 I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.
—1 Timothy 2:8

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