If you’ve just been baptized, this is for you. Welcome to the family—the family of believers, the body of Christ.
You were dead, and now, you’re alive. Let that sink in. Death isn’t the end for you. Separation from God isn’t your fate.
You’re alive.
At points in your life, sin may have lulled you to sleep. But praise God, friend, because He didn’t leave you there. He cut through the noise of this world, and you’re awake now.
The King of the Universe loves you, our Creator—Him. The God who says, “I Am” and ends the sentence. And He loves you. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you. He stood in the gap. He paid the price. Jesus set aside His crown because He loves His kids.
Romans 8 tells us that nothing in this world—no word picture, no vista, no mountain—will help us grasp the scope of that love. It’s all-encompassing and ever-present. It’s never-ending and final. The greatest love we can muster for another is just a taste of God’s love.
“It’s all-encompassing and ever-present. It’s never-ending and final. The greatest love we can muster for another is just a taste of God’s love.”
When Jesus told the story of the Prodigal Son, He was telling your story. Just like that father, God’s been waiting for you. And Heaven broke into a cheer when You were reunited. Friend, don’t walk away again.
God fought to have a relationship with you. He searched you out. Why? To give you life—abundant life. To heal and restore you.
But, friend, we don’t just have a Savior. We have an enemy. And you’re dangerous.
The Spirit of God living in you is the same Spirit that performs miracles. In you is a bright light that others can see and which threatens their spiritual slumber. The enemy wants to snuff it out. He wants to steal your hope and corrupt your witness. Never forget, in the midst of the battles to come, God is stronger than the enemy. And He wins in the end.
Stay awake.
You’ll fail and miss the mark. God knew He was saving sinners. He knew fallen humanity was broken. He chose to still walk among us and bind our wounds. He chose to pour His Spirit into jars of clay—to live in the shattered ruins of your heart and mine. Praise God, He doesn’t leave them ruined.
That’s love.
“Never forget, in the midst of the battles to come, God is stronger than the enemy. And He wins in the end.”
God knows you’ll have questions. Know that your prayers never just hit the ceiling. God knows what you need before you ask Him. But He wants you to talk to Him. He wants to hear your voice. God even gave us His Word. And it’s alive and active. It changes people. It’s going to change you, too.
Friend, whom did God use to bring you this far? You get to be that for someone else now. God doesn’t just save us and heal us, He lets us reach back and help someone we know. Someone you love and care about. He uses us to bring them a step closer to faith and salvation. It could be a family member, a coworker or friend. It could be someone at church. God wants to use you in someone’s life—today. Lean into those open doors. Ask Him to show you how.
You’re not in this alone. You have the church. Those men and women sitting around you aren’t just fellow sinners saved by grace. The people at your Bible study aren’t just discussion partners. They’re brothers and sisters. These relationships exist to shine the love of Christ to a hurting world.
Whenever you’re with believers, you’re home. I hope those moments feel like home. People are messy, and the enemy loves to remind us of it. But God chose the church to change the world.
Again, welcome to the family—God’s family. The reunion in Heaven is going to be incredible.
“Whenever you’re with believers, you’re home.”
Make this prayer your own.
Father, I’m Yours. Everything I have. All that I am. You’ve blessed me with life, and I used it to take a step—to be baptized. I declared that I was dead, and I needed You to make me alive. I left my sins in that water, and I’m clean. I’m forgiven because Jesus’ blood covered my debts.
You took my sins and cast them beyond the horizon. And, in moments when I struggle and fall to temptation, God, cast them away again. Restore me and help me hope again. Guide me back to You.
You’ve adopted me and placed the seal of Your Spirit on my soul. You—God Almighty, Good Shepherd, Alpha and Omega. I want to stay in Your presence forever—when the emotions fade, when hard times come. I want to live for You with eyes open to what You’re doing all around me. God, I don’t want to fall asleep again.
Thank You for loving me and saving me. Help me grow, God. I want to love You more. I want to love others, Father. I can’t do that on my own. Surround me with believers who will show me grace and point me back to You.
I pray all this in the precious name of Jesus.
Amen.
