Here at BRC, we know that everything we have — our land, our cattle, our strength, our talents – are a gift from God. While we are by no means perfect, we try to glorify God in everything we do and to make it clear that all of BRC’s success is not due to us – but due to God.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.
James 1:17
BRC has a huge social media following and gets thousands of website views each month to look at our cattle. However, we feel compelled to also use this platform to share with everyone about how God’s grace can change your life. We want to be known for sharing God’s love first, above sharing or promoting our cattle.
Many days, after a long days work, we sit in the little outdoor patio area right by our show barn, and just catch our breath, and look out over the front pasture. We have a great view of the sunset from our show barn. Most days around this time the herd will make their way from the back of the pasture to the front, and we just sit and watch them walk by. Or, we’ll turn out the big bulls or big heifers into the picture pen and just let them run and play as the sun goes down. It’s a beautiful sight to end a hard days work. It often makes us reflect on how blessed we are and how joyful our work is.
But as beautiful as that sight is, can you imagine how much more beautiful the cattle pastures of heaven will be? We want to see those. And we want you to see them too. We want all of our cattle friends to be standing together in Heaven, with that warm sunlight shining on our face and in the presence of our Lord and Savior.
For those of you who may not have a church home, or know about God’s grace, we want to share this simple plan for you. Using this plan is what changed our lives. No matter what you are facing, with God, you can do anything.
First, we encourage you to find a Bible-based church where you can worship and continually learn more. It is so helpful to have a group of Christian friends you can surround yourself with. We personally worship in the church of Christ. For us, listening to Christian music on stations like The Message on XM radio and KSBJ via web-streaming help give us a positive vibe throughout the day. The presence of Christian friends and positive messages on the radio, for us, make a huge difference.
Second, here is a outline for salvation.
Step 1: Hear the Gospel.
Romans 10:17
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
Want to hear more about Jesus? Here are some great links to online sermons to get started on your journey:
First Colony Church Online Sermons
Elevation Worship Online Sermons
We also love listening to Christian podcasts, like Steven Furtick, Joel Osteen, and others.
We also love reading books by Max Lucado. Get in the Word. Listen. Read. Study.
Step 2: Believe The Gospel
Once you have heard about Jesus and his life, the next step is simply to believe in Him. Believe in his life. Believe in his death, and in his resurrection. We believe by faith. This is a decision you make in your mind.
“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”
Mark 16: 15-16
Step 3: Repent of Your Sins
Sometimes this step can hit you hard – especially if you reflect and realize the weight of your sins, and problems they have caused. This can be very overwhelming. But, the good news is that no matter what your past has held, it can be forgiven. Jesus died for these sins. He went to the cross to take away your sins. He suffered so you and I don’t have to.
Once you realize the weight of your sins, this is a good time to try to correct those actions, or try to make them right, and avoid repeating them in the future.
Through God’s grace, our sins can be forgiven – no matter how great they are. God wants EVERYONE to be saved, and no matter what your past may have held, it can all be washed clean by the blood of Jesus.
“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count as slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing for any to perish but for ALL to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9
God wants you in his family. He loves you. He is welcoming you with open arms. He is ready to forgive your sins and give you the promise of eternal life.
Step 4: Confess Jesus
Who is Jesus?
This step is when you confess publicly that you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God. This is when you make the commitment to follow Jesus. Usually this confession occurs at the time of your baptism. You will be asked if you believe Jesus is the son of God, and that he died for our signs, and was resurrected on the 3rd day. If you believe this, you simply reply “yes” that you believe this.
“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in rightousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in Salvation.”
Romans 10:9,10
Step 5: Be Baptized into Christ
At this step, you are baptized into Christ. Baptism can be done in any body of water, by any believer.
“Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
Acts 2:37-39
If you are at this point and have studied and wish to be baptized, but need assistance on how / when or where to do it, reach out to us and we can help you.
Step 6: Live a Christian Life
The final step of God’s grace for man is to live a Christian life. This does not mean you have to be perfect. This does mean putting aside our own desires, the world’s desires, fighting temptations, and living for Christ. Living a Christian life means following Jesus, attending worship, serving others, supporting others, giving, and resolving conflicts biblically.
“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive a crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
James 1:12
While we love talking about our cattle, we love talking about JESUS more. If we can assist you in any way, or help answer any questions, or just be a friend to lend a listening ear, we are always here for you.
For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.
Psalms 97: 9-11
You are exalted far above all gods.
Let those who love the Lord hate evil.
He guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hands of the wicked.
Light shins on the righteous and joy is in their hearts.
Sources:
God’s Grace for Saving Man, re-printed from Abell Street Church of Christ
First Colony Church of Christ
