Skip Repetitive Navigational Links

New Believers

Thanks for taking the time to visit this very important page.  We want to encourage you to get to know the God who created us all.  He knows you and wants you to know Him! Continue with this page to learn:
  • How to Know God
  • First Steps-Faith In Action.

If you have any questions, comments or need prayer please contact the church.

How to Know God

  • Realize that you are a sinner.
    No matter how good a life we try to live, we still fall miserably short of being a good person.  That is because we are all sinners.  We all fall short of God´s desire for us to be holy.  The Bible says, “No one is good—not even one" (Romans 3:10 NLT).  This is because we can not become who we are supposed to be without Jesus Christ.
  • Recognize that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you.
    The Bible tells us, "But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while were still sinners" (Romans 5:8 NLT).  This is the Good News, that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die in our place when we least deserved it.
  • Repent of your sin.
    The Bible tells us to "repent and be converted" (Acts 3:19 NKJV).  The word repent means to change our direction in life.  Instead of running from God, we can run toward Him.
  • Receive Jesus Christ into your life.
    Becoming a Christian is not merely believing some creed or going to church on Sunday.  It is having Christ Himself take residence in your life and heart.  Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door (of your life) and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in . . . ." (Revelation 3:20 NKJV).

If you would like to have a relationship with Christ, simply pray this prayer and mean it in your heart.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner.  I believe you died for my sins.  Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life.  I confess you as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.

If you just prayed that prayer and meant it, Jesus Christ has now taken residence in your heart!  Your decision to follow Christ means God has forgiven you and that you will spend eternity in heaven.   The Bible tells us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9 NKJV). 

Now it's time to put your faith in action.

First Steps-Faith In Action

  • Study the Bible
  • The Bible is often referred to as the "user's manual of life".  Everything we need to know about God can be found in its pages.  We need to get the word of God into our hearts and our minds.  Just as we need to breathe oxygen to survive physically we need to study the Bible to survive and grow spiritually.  Reading and studying this book will truly change your life.

    • Studying the Bible is necessary for our spiritual growth.  The Bible performs three functions to help us mature spiritually.     (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
    • Studying the Bible keeps us spiritually strong.  The more we get into this book and apply its teachings, the more we will be able to stand our ground in the storms and trials of life.     (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
  • Pray
  • Talk to God!  God not only encourages us to pray and seek Him he also teaches us how to pray.  The Bible instructs us to pray at all times in any posture, any place, for any reason.  Because prayer is an essential ingredient to walking with Jesus, we need to examine its elements found in the Bible.

    • Prayer was modeled for us by Christ.  Jesus took the time to show his followers how to pray.     (see Matthew 6:5-15)
    • Prayer is not a solitary experience.  God has given us his Holy Spirit to aid us in prayer, even when we do not know what to pray.     (see Romans 8:26-27)
    • Prayer allows us to voice our requests to God.  Prayer is God's appointed way for us to relate our concerns and present our needs to him.    (see James 4:2-3)
    • Prayer enables us to seek forgiveness.  When we pray sincerely for forgiveness, God will hear our prayers and restore us.     (see James 5:15-16)
    • Prayer helps us overcome worry.  In the midst of troubles, we can receive God's peace through prayer.    (see Philippians 4:6-7)
    • Prayer increases our spiritual knowledge and maturity.  God will give us greater spiritual understanding through prayer.     (see Colossians 1:9)
  • Look for and attend the right church
  • It seems easy but fellowship with other believers is an essential building block of spiritual growth.  The church provides you with spiritual instruction from God's word, allows you to worship God with other believers, enables you to use your God-given gifts and abilities as God intended, and make you accountable to spiritual leadership.  The Bible has plenty to say about the characteristics of a healthy, vibrant church and the necessity for Christian fellowship.  Here are some insights from God's Word on looking for and attending the right church.

    • What to look for in a church.  You should look for a church that has the qualities and characteristics of the first century church.     (see Acts 2:42-47)
    • Why you need fellowship with other  believers.  Fellowship with other Christians sharpens your spiritual discernment and prepares you for Christ's return.   (see Hebrews 10:25)
    • Why the church needs you.  Not only will you benefit from the church, but the church will benefit from you and your God-given talents and abilities.   (see Ephesians 4:11-16)
    • You have a place in church.  God has given each one of us a unique role to play in our place of fellowship.   (see 1 Corinthians 12:12-31)
  • Obey God
  • Renowned British preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon once said, "Of what value is the grace I profess to receive if it does not dramatically change the way that I live?  If it doesn't change the way that I live, it will never change my eternal destiny."            A changed life begins with obedience to God.  This means that you will have to (and want to) stop doing certain things and start doing others.  Whatever you give up to follow Jesus will pale in comparison to what he will give you in return.  Here are six ways the Bible instructs us to obey God.

    • Recognize that you are a new creation.  When you understand what God has done in your life, obedience becomes more of a desire than a duty.  (see 2 Corinthians 5:14-17)
    • Follow God wholeheartedly.  When you follow God completely, you will finish the race of life well.    (see Hebrews 12:1-3)
    • Offer God more than lip service.  God looks at your heart more than your religious actions.     (see Matthew 23:25-28)
    • Live in God's love.  Discover the secret of true and lasting joy.   (see John 15:9-11)
    • Put on God's armor.  Obedience prepares you for the battles of life.    (Romans 13:11-14)
    • Let God occupy your thoughts.  Your thoughts will affect your actions.   (see Colossians 3:1-4)
  • Resist Temptation
  • Realize who is tempting you.  Satan is the mastermind behind all of your temptations.    (see Ephesians 6:10-12)
    • Resist the Devil.  The Bible says that if you resist Satan's enticements, he will flee from you.  (see James 4:7-8)
    • Rejoice because victory is yours in Jesus.  God promises that He will always provide a way of escape. (see 1 Corinthians 10:13)
  • Live in God's power
  • It is hard living the Christian life.  That is why God gave us a "helper".  As soon as you asked Jesus into your heart, he gave you the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit not only takes up residence in your heart, but empowers you to live a holy life and to be an effective witness for Jesus Christ.
    • God's spirit will guide you.  The Holy Spirit will help you understand the truths of Scripture and the character of God.     (see John 16:13-15)
    • God's spirit will empower you. The Holy Spirit will give you greater courage and an increased ability to share your faith.    (see Acts 1:8)
    • God's spirit will encourage you to be obedient.  You will have a Holy Spirit inspired desire to obey God's commands.     (see Romans 8:9-14)     (see Ephesians 5:18)
  • Share your faith
  • Next to personally knowing Jesus and walking with him, one of the greatest blessings of the Christian life is to actually lead someone to Christ.  God wants to use YOU (not just pastors, missionaries and evangelists) to speak to others.  Jesus gave us this very commission in
    • You don't need any training to share.  A changed heart is all you need to begin sharing your faith with others.  (see John 9:1-41)
    • Be open to God's leading.  Effectively sharing your faith begins with a willing heart.  (see Acts 8:4-8 and Acts 8:26-28)
    • Know God's word.  The more you know the Bible, the better equipped you will be to answer other's questions.   (see 2 Timothy 2:15)
    • Understand the simplicity of the gospel.  The message of the gospel is simple yet powerful.    (see 1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
    • Share your own story (testimony).  Never underestimate the strength of your own personal story.  (see Acts 26:1-23)
  • Seek God's will
  • God has a purpose and plan for everyone and He is vitally interested in your life and He wants to lead you in your decisions.  Finding God's will comes down to living out what you read in the Bible and then living by faith.  Here are six steps you can take as you seek God's will.
    • Unconditionally surrender your life.  Certain conditions must be met if you want to know God's will for your life.   (see Romans 12:1-2)
    • Realize that God has a plan for your life.  Your life has purpose and meaning and God wants to reveal it to you.   (see Ephesians 1:7-9)
    • Act upon what God has already revealed in scripture.  God has already given us some specific guidelines to follow in his Word.     (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)
    • Trust God completely.  There is nothing more reassuring than entrusting an unknown future to a known God.    (Philippians 4:6-7)
    • Ask God for guidance.  God should be the first person we turn to in moments of decision.    (see James 1:5-8)
    • Listen for God's voice.  If we are truly God's children, we will know when He is trying to tell us something.    (see John 10:27)
  • Live as a Disciple
  • When you hear the word "disciple" do you think of the twelve who followed Jesus?  A disciple is someone who has made a wholehearted commitment to follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  When you truly make a commitment to be Christ's disciple, you will be living the Christian life as it was meant to be lived.  Here are four passages from the Bible that explain what it means to truly be a disciple of Jesus.
    • A disciple takes up his or her cross and follows Christ.  Being a disciple takes work and commitment.     (see Luke 9:23-25)
    • A disciple counts the cost.  Jesus' disciples are willing to give up everything to follow him.     (see Luke 14:25-33)
    • A disciple abides in Christ.  The source of a disciple's strength comes from his/her closeness to Christ.  How to abide?  Read your Bible, Pray, Fellowship with other believers, Serve others, Worship by giving.   (see John 15:1-17)
    • 9d.  A disciple walks as Jesus walked.  Disciples pattern their lives after Jesus, the ultimate example of how to live.    (see 1 John 2:3-6) 
  • Give to God
  • You may be wondering what money has to do with your faith.  Believe it or not the Bible has over 2,000 verses on money!  Now that Jesus has come into your life he wants to be Lord (commander) of every aspect of your life; heart, mind and wallet.   Money and the church are hot button issues with many.  That is why at Calvary Chapel Cardunal we don't take traditional offerings.  There is a "Dove Box" in the sanctuary so each person can give as led.  Also, giving is not just about money.  Give your compassion and time through volunteering or serving others in the church body or in your community.  With that in mind here are some questions to consider about wealth and giving.
    • Why should you give a portion of your financial resources to God?  God wants to prove his faithfulness through your regular giving or tithes.  (see 2 Corinthians 9:6-11)
    • How much should you give?  God encourages us to give sacrificially.  (see Mark 12:41-44)
    • What happens when you give?  When you give with the right motives, you will experience joy and God's generous blessings.   (see 2 Corinthians 9:6-14)
    • How should you view material wealth?  Accumulating wealth should never be a high priority because it is eternally worthless.    (see Matthew 6:19-34)
    • Can you enjoy wealth?  God may bless you materially, but you are responsible for using your material blessings wisely.
      (see 1 Timothy 6:17-19)
  • Have Courage in Trials
  • Many Christians have the mistaken idea that once they make a commitment to Jesus, life will be smooth.  This is certainly not the case we are still going to face trials.  Trials may come in the form of crisis, illness, loss of a loved one, or some drastic change in your life.  Remember, God does not allow us to experience trials because He wants to see us suffer.  Rather, He allows these difficulties to help us grow spiritually, to learn to live by faith and not feelings.  God promises to be with us during these times of trouble.
    • Trials sharpen our faith.  Hardships develop our character and purify our faith.     (see 1 Peter 1:3-7)
    • Trials help us comfort others.  Experiencing suffering deepens our compassion for others who suffer.   (see 2 Corinthians 1:3-7)
    • Trials are survivable.  We must keep our eternal perspective through the tough times.    (see 2 Corinthians 4:7-18)
    • Trials test our foundation.  When we ground our lives in Christ, we can weather any storm.    (see Luke 6:47-49)
    • Jesus is with us in life's storms.  We are never outside of God's watchful eye and his abiding presence.    (see Mark 4:35-41)
    • God gives hope to our troubled hearts.  We can have peace of mind in the middle of our greatest trials.   (see John 14:1-7