Meet the New Me!
“All who heard him were amazed. ‘Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?’ they asked. …” Acts 9:21 (NLT)
A Pastor sent me a picture of a young man being baptized at his church with “Meet the New Me!” printed on his t-shirt! What an awesome description of the radical transformation that happens when we put our faith in Jesus Christ! He changes us from the inside out! We are never the same! We celebrated that same transformation in the lives of hundreds at our Super Summer Baptism weekends.
Convincing others you’ve changed can be challenging. Saul of Tarsus certainly faced that challenge after his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus where he was traveling to arrest Christ’s followers and take them in chains to the leading priests. The persecutor became a preacher in one miraculous moment! He encountered the risen Christ on that road and by the time he reached Damascus, he was a new man! He had changed! He could have worn the same t-shirt: “Meet the New Me!” at his baptism. The one who persecuted Christ followers had now become one himself! It was such a dramatic change, though, that many Christ followers struggled to believe it was even true. Some suspected it was a trick to lure in more believers to arrest. The Bible tells us that “When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer!” Acts. 9:26 (NLT)
Your life change may not be as dramatic, but it is nonetheless just as powerful! When you become a Christian, you become a brand-new person inside! You are not the same anymore. A new life has begun. Old ways are replaced with new ways of living, new thoughts, new attitudes, and new desires! God not only got you out of hell and into heaven one day, but even greater, He got out of heaven and into you now!
A man recently shared his experience and the powerful transformation in his life from his newfound faith at our Super Summer Baptism Weekend. He said, “Before Christ, I was lost, angry and unsatisfied. I knew I wanted more from life, but I didn't know what it was that I wanted. I realized I needed Christ when everything started to fall apart in my life. I was unhappy and unsatisfied at work, which kept me away from my family. My marriage was falling apart, and I was in deep financial debt. I received Christ in my life after watching and listening to the likes of Kerry Shook, and some other pastors on TV. Just listening to their messages, God’s messages, brought me to tears and made me realize that THIS is what I was longing for. This is what I have been missing. Now that I am a Christ follower, I am more fulfilled. I am happier. I still have stress, but it doesn't affect me the way it used to. Those closest to me have noticed how changed I am. My experience at Woodlands Church has been amazing. I have never felt this at home in a church before. It is so warm and welcoming and loving. I am a member of two life groups with great guys who are like family to me. No, they are family. I love Woodlands Church.”
You too can experience a fresh start with a new beginning in Christ! As God writes your story, people around you will meet the new you! Simply open your heart to Christ. Ask Him to forgive you of your sin and invite Him to be Lord of your life. When you turn to God from your sin you exchange your old life for a new one – the saving life of Jesus Christ. Receive Him today.