Welcome to WorksAndFaith.org
Information for new believers emphasizing works as part of living as a Christian.

We acknowledge that salvation is the result of grace alone, not works. The journey begins with accepting Jesus.  However, we can’t find scripture that says just sit there and Jesus will do everything for us and come and get us when the time comes.

The Bible tells us to knock, seek, ask, open the door when Jesus knocks.

Peter writes that we should supplement our faith with virtue (goodness), and our goodness with knowledge.

God knows we need assistance to be successful.  He sent the Holy Spirit to help us.  Some of this assistance also comes from others.  If He did not think so, there would not have been a need for Apostles, Disciples, Preachers, Teachers, Churches, Books, etc.

Because each of us needs a unique personal relationship with God, we all will approach the process of spiritual growth in different ways.

Here you will find some information that may be of help as the journey continues.  There is no charge for anything on this site, and we do not ask for donations. 

The information is not intended to be complete, but just the opposite.  It is simply a discussion of things we have encountered, and presented in the hope that others may benefit from them.  

We believe there is not enough emphasis on what is expected of us, and that doing good works is an important part of God’s plan for us.  A lukewarm approach to following Jesus can be as bad as no approach at all.  Revelation 3:15-16 I know your deeds (emphasis added), that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Note:  Scriptures quoted on this site are from the New International Version unless otherwise stated.

Read a condensed version of what a we believe a Christian is and does here.



















Clicking a link below will leave our site and go to another one.  These sites have been, and still are, useful to us.  A lot of the info is free.  Of course there are bookstores like Mardels and Barnes and Noble for the more paper oriented among us.

We would emphasize that these resources are just a few of the many available online.

This site is operated by John and Lisa Bevere.  There you can buy books, audiotapes, video presentations, and a lot more. This is an extremely valuable resource for anyone seeking a closer relationship with God. Messenger International

Bible verse lookup...These sites provide quick access to scripture from multiple versions of the Bible.

Bible Gateway and Parallel verses and much more
   
Bible Commentaries and Dictionaries Online Bibles and other good stuff

Christ Notes

A resource for those wanting to really get into the Bible and prefer to do it online. E-Sword





















Christians face an ever increasing challenge in today's workplace. New believers suddenly find themselves rejecting the way they were, while realizing the world actually rewards the old ways while at best tolerating their newfound lifestyle.

The Bible says we should no longer conform to the ways of the world, but to be transformed by renewing our minds.

We are told that if we do not acknowledge Jesus among men that he will not acknowledge us before the Father.

By developing a personal relationship with God we come to realize that while we are still IN the world we are no longer OF the world, and adjust our thoughts and actions accordingly. This is a continuous learning process for as long as we live in this world.

We can make a difference. Groups that influence others are made up of individuals who agree with each other.

Mr. Bob Sally overcame worldly temptations and became a messenger for Jesus without leaving his current employer. You can read about how he did that here.

Beverly willingly obeyed the Lord and accepted a teaching assignment far below her seniority level. Read how her initial disappointment led to growth for her and salvation for a student here.

 

 

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After accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we all need to be planted in a local church. It is there we worship and learn as a group, and where as individuals we do our part as members.

This means the Church is first a resource for individual spiritual growth, fellowship, and encouragement, and second as individuals we are a resource for carrying out the various missions and activities undertaken by the Church.

It normally takes some time for us to learn and grow into the second part of our Church life.

This process usually involves taking 3 steps: 1. Committment, 2. Learning and Growing, and 3. Reaching out to others. Read about how one family's life was changed over several years and the part their Church had in that journey here.








HOME SWEET HOME (Family)

God made us to join together as families and have a home we call our own.  The Bible actually talks about the private nature of a family home. Proverbs 25:17  Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house— too much of you, and he will hate you.

As new believers, we may find ourselves having to deal with past behavior (ourselves as well as others)  in a different way at home than we will with the rest of the world. This is because the home contains our immediate family and it may not be appropriate to just leave, or stay and throw everyone else out.

Usually change is required.  This change can range from just including Jesus as master in what was otherwise a loving household, or a greater challenge of attempting to rebuild relationships broken by the effects of drugs and alcohol or infidelity.

The sad reality is that all too many so called Christian homes are a mixture of believers and non-believers.

Because the family structure has changed significantly in the last 25 years, there is more need to bring Christian emphasis to the home than ever before.

As individuals in a family unit, we should continue to develop our personal relationship with Jesus, and do all we can to make him master in our home.

Jesus said “Blessed are the Peacemakers”.  They use Biblical principals to resolve conflicts.  A good book on this is The Peacemaker by Ken Sande.  It is available at Barnes and Nobel or Amazon.com.  There is no better place for one of these than in a home that secular counselors would call “dysfunctional”.  That translates to things are not going well because of all the arguing and bickering and various types of abuse….. We need to always remember that NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR GOD.  He is the ultimate peacemaker.

The ultimate goal is that the entire family unit consists of believers who confront the world as a solid Christian unit.

Belonging to a local church and taking advantage of available resources there is a great way to help mend broken homes.  Christian counseling can serve as a means of mediating the often highly emotional barriers to reconciliation and healing.

A home without Jesus is somewhat like a ship without radar.  It can be steered around, but will likely wind up self-destructing or wondering aimlessly for lack of spiritual guidance.