If we follow the five STEPS, we will improve our life and grow closer to God.
But our life–past, present, and future–can only become what it is truly meant to be when we are taking steps with Jesus.
As we do, life can become a wonderful adventure as we find reason to be:
- Courageous, because we have a cause to believe in.
- Inspired, due to firm and positive direction for which way to go.
- Hopeful, from experience proving that hope is realistic and achievable.
- Persevering, by learning we can overcome the challenges life will bring.
- Resilient, even in tough times, because we know where help can be found.
If you believe in and follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can achieve those things, and also acquire access to power you could never comprehend or utilize otherwise.
When you are focused on taking steps with Jesus, each of the STEPS will come alive in a way that is truly supernatural, and your life will be transformed in wonderful ways.
Surrender
Surrender your will to God and make choices based on faith and courage.
Jesus Christ is God. As you surrender your will to God, decide also to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. That is a choice you make on faith, and it will change your life.
When you surrender your life to Jesus, you position yourself to receive greater peace and joy. There is no worldly way to experience the depth of peace and the height of joy that you are meant to have, except through Jesus. More importantly, surrendering your life to Jesus brings you the promise of eternal life, a guarantee you can take with you always.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Transformation
Humbly admit your mistakes and make positive changes in your life.
Jesus died on the cross so you could be saved. When you accept Jesus as your Savior, you loosen the grip sin has on you and acquire the power to live a life of freedom.
By accepting God’s grace through Jesus and repenting from your mistakes, your sins are forgiven. Those sins will be erased, and your life will be instantly transformed. You will be able to put down the weight of your past mistakes and move forward with the positive, wonderful assurance that your sins are gone forever.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)
Empathy
Seek forgiveness and invest in good relationships.
Out of thankfulness for the grace offered to you through Jesus Christ, seek sincere forgiveness from anyone you have hurt. Use Jesus as the example of a life based on love.
You will better appreciate the forgiveness of your own sins as you seek to forgive others for things they have done to you. You will feel closer to God as you use Jesus as your model of unconditional love. Experiencing the love of Jesus will help you repair and strengthen your relationships as you follow Biblical guidance for how to live with others.
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)
Progress
Spend time every day in prayer and meditation.
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord, you also acquire the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit in your life. The Holy Spirit is an invisible spiritual being, one with God.
As you spend time in prayer and the Bible, the Holy Spirit will provide direction, strength, and protection. The Holy Spirit is not a mystical “genie in a bottle” that will grant your every wish. The Holy Spirit is a guiding force that will affect your life in tangible ways with insight and understanding you would not receive otherwise.
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things.” (John 14:26)
Service
Serve as an example and add value to the lives of others.
When you accept the good news of Jesus Christ, your heart will be changed. You will feel greater compassion and want to serve others in return for what you have been given.
By seeking to model your life after Jesus, you will serve as an example for others. You also become a vehicle by which they too can find hope and peace. As your desire to add value to the lives of others through service grows, you will find greater meaning. You will ultimately build a life of significance and purpose, one act of service at a time.
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)
Question: Do you believe that Jesus was who he claimed to be–God?
Action: If you want to grow closer to God, begin by taking steps with Jesus.
Photo by Art4TheGlryOfGod 
Photo by Waiting For The Word Photo by Seetheholyland.net
