Thursday, August 28, 2008

4 Steps to Knowing God

The following are 4 Spiritual laws, or principles, that explain salvation and how to know God in a personal relationship. God created us to love us and to be in loving relationship with him. It is so simple that a child can understand it, yet few of us s have really comprehended it. I pray that this will bring clarity to your spiritual journey and start you on the great experience of having God as your best friend.

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1. God LOVES you and offers a wonderful PLAN for your life.

God's Love

"God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NIV).

God's Plan

[Christ speaking] "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" [that it might be full and meaningful] (John 10:10).


Why is it that most people are not experiencing the abundant life? Because...


2. Man is SINFUL and SEPARATED from God. He cannot experience God's love.

Man Is Sinful

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Man was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own independent way, and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is an evidence of what the Bible calls sin.

Man Is Separated

"The wages of sin is " [spiritual separation from God] (Romans 6:23)

This diagram illustrates that God is holy and man is sinful. A great gulf separates the two. The arrows illustrate that man is continually trying to reach God and the abundant life through his own efforts, such as a good life, philosophy, or religion - but he inevitably fails.

The third law explains the only way to bridge this gulf...


3. Jesus Christ is God's ONLY provision for man's sin.

He Died in Our Place "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). He Rose From the

"Christ died for our sins...He was buried...He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures...He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

He Is the Only Way to God "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me' " (John 14:6).

This diagram illustrates that God has bridged the gulf which separates us from Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins.

It is not enough just to know these three laws..


4. We must individually RECEIVE Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

We Must Receive Christ

"As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become , even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12)

We Receive Christ Through Faith

"By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).


When We Receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth

"Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.' " (John 3:3).

We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation

[Christ speaking] "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him" (Revelation 3:20).

These two circles represent two kinds of lives:

1. The Self-directed life

Self is on the throne. Interests are directed by self, resulting in discord and frustration. Christ is outside the person's life.

2. The Christ-directed life

Christ is on the throne. Self is yielding to Christ. Interests are directed by Christ, resulting in harmony with God's plan.

Which circle best describes your life?

Which circle would you like to have represent your life?

God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart.

Would you like to pray our suggested prayer ?


NOW WHAT?

To Know God, it is as easy as a prayer....

Giving your life to Jesus is an act of faith that you can express through prayer.

Praying is simply talking to God. He knows you . What matters is the attitude of your heart, your honesty. We suggest you pray the following prayer:

"Lord Jesus, I thank you for your love and that you came into the world to die for me. I confess that I have directed my own life and that I have therefore sinned against God. I now want to put my trust in you and receive you in my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins. Make me the person you want me to be. I thank you that you answered my prayer and that you are now in my life. Amen."

Is it the desire of your heart to make this prayer yours?

If yes, pray now and according to his promise, Jesus Christ will come into your life.

If you've prayed this prayer please let us know in the form below. We would love to help you learn more about Jesus by sending you some valuable learning resources.

Names of Jesus

Years ago, I came across a Scripture verse in Proverbs 18:10,

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe”.

This verse had a profound effect on me. The name of the Lord is powerful, it said, and if we as His children run to it, we will be safe. This verse compelled me to learn the names of God. The following are names of Jesus—but by no means are they all of His names and titles. May you be blessed and encouraged as you read and study them.

Alpha and Omega

The beginning and end of all things

He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.Revelation 21:6

Bread of Life

Jesus is the one and only supplier of true spiritual nourishment

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35

The Way, Truth and Life

Jesus is the only way to heaven, the only true source of truth, and the foundation of all life.

Jesus said, "I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You've even seen him!" John 14:6

Chief Cornerstone

A sure foundation for life.

Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.Ephesians 2:20

Immanuel (God with us)

The One who is always with us.

"The virgin will be pregnant. She will have a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which means "God is with us." Matthew 1:23

Jesus (Yahweh saves)

His personal name.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

King of Kings, Lord of Lords

The Sovereign Almighty

On his robe and on his upper leg was written this name: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.Revelations 19:16

Lamb of God

He offered His life as a sacrifice for sins.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!John 1:29

Light of the World

The One who gives guidance.

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:5

LORD

Sovereign Creator and Redeemer.

But now in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son, to whom he has given everything, and through whom he made the world and everything there is.

"God’s Son shines out with God’s glory, and all that God’s Son is and marks him as God. He regulates the universe by the mighty power of his command. He is the one who died to cleanse us and clear our record of sin, then sat down in highest honor beside the great God of heaven.” Hebrews 1:2-3.

MEDIATOR

He brings forgiven people into the presence of God.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”. 1 Timothy 2:5

RABBI (TEACHER)

A title of respect for one who teaches the Scripture.

He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." John 3:2

SAVIOR

The One who delivers us from sin and .

They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." John 4:42

SHEPHERD

The One who knows us and we know Him. He guides us.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11

I am the good shepherd; and I know my sheep, and I am known by my own. . . .

SON OF GOD

A title of deity, signifying the unique intimacy Jesus has with the Father.

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.John 20:31

GOD


The Father of all.

But about the Son he says,
"Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,
and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
" Hebrews 1:8

WORD

This title was used by the apostle John to describe the mission of Jesus. The title states Jesus Godhead and eternal and absolute deity.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1

Your Will and Your Life

When we accepted Jesus as our personal Savior, did we not do this to save ourselves from damnation? Some of us chose Jesus because our life was a mess from trying to live it our way. But, for whatever your reason was for accepting Jesus, we all hope to meet together in Heaven. But for some reason, a lot of us tend to have a problem, and that is giving up our independence. I call the shots or nobodys going to tell me how to live my life. Yup, that's how we are.

One of the things Jesus taught about was what it takes to get into the Kingdom of God. Jesus said in Mark 8:34-36 'If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel, shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the lose of his soul? It may seem strange at first that one would give up his entire life to someone he can't even see. But you knew something drew you to call on Jesus and that would be God. John 6:44 'No one can come to me, unless he is drawn by the Father, who hath sent me.' So by a knowing, you felt a presence in your heart, you knew something was missing and you found Jesus who came into your life. So, like many others you probably wondered what to do next. Like most people they start going to church and bible study, but there's a matter more important than that.

Who are you trusting this new found life with? Do you let the church and bible studies and the people who go to the church teach you? Of course not. Your probably saying HUH! Let me explain. They don't know you or your needs and putting your life in their hands is like playing russian roulette with 5 bullets. Jesus was sent by God to show us the way back to God. Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the Lord: Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. When you trust God, that's where your heart is, but put your trust in man and that is where your heart will be. Also it says in Luke 12:29-31 But you, you must not set your hearts on things to eat and things to drink; nor must you worry. It is the pagans of this world who set their hearts on these things. Your Father well knows you need them. No; set your heart on His kingdom, and these other things will be given you as well.

When you truly give your your life and will over to the Lord and you build that relationship with Him, you will not want to have anything to do with being taught by man. Jesus knows you better than you know yourself. He knows what's best for you and He certainly can manage your life better than you can. All you have to do is trust Him and do not try to do things your way. One of the things you do have to understand is that it is a long and lonely road to travel, but it is one amazing journey. And at the end of the road, there is an unspeakable peace and joy waiting for you. I am in no way telling you not to go to church or bible studies or even to talk to people, what I am saying is don't become dependant on anyone of them. Keep an open mind, ask questions if you need to, then ask the Lord to help you sort things out, and pretty soon you'll be able to listen and know that Jesus is a part of your life. You'll be able to know when He is talking to you and when He isn't. Anybody that misses out on this experience is losing so, so much.

Jesus wants you to give Him your burdens and He wants to give you His, which is LIGHT! There will be a lot of tests and trials (these will build up your faith and make you stronger) but have trust in Jesus, He'll guide you through them. You will learn about yourself and what God's will is for you. God loves you so much you just can't imagine. He wants you to come home. One thing you have to do is be willing enough to accept His son Jesus Christ. Follow Jesus, not man or your own mind.You've been deceived long enough, let the Lord teach you truth. Luke 11:9 'So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.'

Your carnal life is as temporary as this world, follow Jesus and your life will be everlasting and eternal light. There are many who believe and have tried to get me to believe that you can have God and take pleasure in the things of this world together, you can't. Find God and His will first, then see if you can take pleasure in the things of this world. John 18:36 Jesus replied, 'Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind.' Bless you Jesus. Aways remember what Jesus said, John 5:30 'I can do nothing by myself; Ican only judge as I am told to judge, and my judging is just, because my aim is to do not my own will, but the will of Him who sent me. May God Bless You Dearly
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