New Direction Worship Center, Bryan TX

What Is Salvation?
Salvation is translated from the Hebrew "soteria" which means deliverance, preservation, or safety. It is the act of protecting someone or something from harm, risk, loss, or destruction. In theological terms, it is the power displayed by God for the redemption and reconciliation of man back unto his rightful place as sons of God and heirs to His kingdom.
How Was This Plan Executed or Carried Out?
Man was doomed to hell because of ungodliness, and there was only one solution. The scriptures teach that God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to become the eternal sacrifice for our sins. It was the blood of Jesus that was shed for our remission, and it is the life of Christ that now gives us access to our inheritance.
When Does Salvation Take Place?
Believe it or not, the plan of salvation was in the mind of God even before Jesus Christ. Ezekiel 18:21-22 reads, "But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live." As we repent of our sins, confess our faith in Jesus Christ, the new life in Christ begins in us. As we continue seeking the kingdom of God, we receive the power of the Holy Ghost to lead us into all truth.
What Is Repentance?
Many people believe that "repentance" means to apologize or acknowledge sorrow for something, but that's not altogether true. When someone truly repents, it means they have "turned away from" committing that act. The individual has changed their ways and no longer behaves in that manner. Example: If someone slaps you in the face and says "I'm sorry", but turns around and slaps you again, then that person did not repent. They said "I'm sorry", but the fact that they slapped you again reflects a lack of repentance. True repentance is not just admitting sorrow, but also the putting away of ungodly lifestyles, and giving your life "totally" unto God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new." We should not continue abiding in sinful lifestyles, for every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and cast into the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.
What Does The Bible Say Concerning Homosexuality?
God, from the very beginning, made His creation male and female. He made them differently for the reproduction of mankind upon the earth. God ordained the union between man and woman, and anything other than this is against His will. As a matter of fact, God was so upset with this type of lewd behavior that He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of it (Genesis 18:16-19:25). New Testament confirmation of God's anger concerning this can be found in Romans 1:18-32. 1 Corinthians 6:9 reads "know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulters, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, ...., shall inherit the kingdom of God. However, God can save the homosexual and create a new life for him/her, a life that is pleasing to God, a life that can usher them into His heavenly kingdom. With God, all things are possible.
How Does God Feel About Divorce?
The purpose of God has been, from the beginning, that man and woman remain married until separated by death. Moses, however, gave commandments allowing divorce under certain circumstances. See Deuteronomy 24:1-5 and Matthew 19:1-8. Read the apostle Paul's instruction to the church as it was recorded in 1 Corinthians 7:10-16.
Is Cigarette Smoking Sin?
This is, unfortunately, a fashionable trend nowadays, especially among young ladies. But the word of God is sure as it speaks that we should present our bodies "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God" (Romans 12:1). 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 reads "know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reads "your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." God has given us commandment to take care of our bodies with all diligence, and that if we failed to do so, He would destroy us. This includes more than just cigarettes and alcohol, but also the eating of foods that are against our healthiness. Have you ever heard the cliche' that "you are what you eat?" well, many illnesses and diseases can be directly attributed to our indulgence in these things (such as lung and liver cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and many others). Even the U.S. Surgeon General's Office has determined that cigarette smoking is hazardous to our health. It's an addictive habit that does the body no good at all.