Joyce Meyer - Advice For New Believers

We asked you to share your best advice for new believers, and let me tell you, this is good for all of us whether we're new believers or not. And then coming up, Joyce will answer a few questions from new Christians too. But first, here are your thoughts.

Cynthia says, "I would tell a newbie, don't worry. It takes time to learn the Bible and start changing how you think, talk, act, and do. I pray every day. I try to do something good every day and make every day count for God. It could be overwhelming sometimes, but just remember, you are worth it. Christ died for you."

Mary says, "I would say don't make the christian life too complicated. God will lead you and reveal His call on your life. It's not a sprint, it's a walk with God. When you feel stuck, do something practical, clean your room, do the laundry, help your neighbor. God will get you where He wants you to be."

Roxie says, "Welcome, new believer! Surround yourself with other believers, especially in the beginning because the enemy will attack you for your friends, family, old habits, et cetera. You'll be surprised at how negative people can be when you are so happy. Talk to Jesus constantly. Thank Him for the good parking spots, the beautiful flower you just have to take a picture of, and soon you will see God in everything."

Well, those are some wonderful pieces of advice and I personally think it's hugely important, just like she was saying, to see God in everything.

Ginger: I love this basic question from Gabrielle, "Why do I have to go to church?"

Joyce: Well, first of all, it's not a have to. The Bible says, "Don't forsake the assembling of yourselves together". And so, we go to church to learn, to be in corporate worship, to be accountable to somebody. It's good if you're committed to something and you don't show up for 4 or 5 weeks to have somebody, a close enough relationship that's gonna call and say, "Hey, you okay? Haven't seen you lately."

And it's good to be together with other people that are like-minded like you are. If you're trying to have a relationship with God and you're always around people that don't really believe in God, they can't challenge you, they can't encourage you. It's amazing what we learn sometimes just from being around somebody else that's maybe got a little more spiritual growth than us. That can become a sermon just in itself.

But I think if people look at like "I have to," then they're never going to want to do it. And to be honest, I think a lot of times we think, "Well, I have to go to church or God's not gonna be happy. I have to go to church to get what I call a checkmark on my God calendar".

But really, we go for us. Yes, it shows respect to God when we go, but it's just important to be in fellowship with other people. And, you know, you mentioned when we started that this was for new believers or it might be for someone who knew a new believer, but to be honest, Ginger, I think sometimes people have been trying to walk with God for a long time. They've missed some of the basics.

We never should think that something is too elementary for us or too basic for us because anytime you have a crack in your foundation, the rest of the building you have a crack is not gonna be stable.