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| You may be visiting New Hope's website because you're curious about God and want to know if he really cares about you. Let me just say that God is real. He made you and loves you. He wants to be there to guide you through your life. |
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You need to know that knowing God is not only possible, but something that thousands of people in Central Oregon and millions of people around the world have already done.
The Bible tells us about how man (Adam) sinned, and because of that sin was eternally separated from God. But God didn't want that, so he sent his only Son Jesus to this earth, born of a virgin (Mary) to live and then eventually die for our sins. Because of that, we can all be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life.
Knowing God means being part of the family of God. Here are four things that you need to understand about that. |
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| 1) Number one is that God loves you more than you can ever imagine! |
| In the Bible it says that "For 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). |
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| 2) Second, you need to acknowledge that you have sinned. |
| Everybody makes mistakes. The Bible tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). That means that no one is perfect except God. That's why we need help, we need a savior, Jesus Christ. |
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| 3) Thirdly, you need to realize that Jesus Christ (God's son) is the provision for your sin. |
| That means that Jesus died in our place so that we would not have to die for our sins. Yes we will die physically, but spiritually we will live forever - either with God or eternally separated from him. |
| The Bible tells us that "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). And in the gospel accordingly to John, Jesus said "l am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6). |
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| 4) Lastly, you need to confess your sins and receive Jesus into your life. |
| God's Word tells us that "as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12). And "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). |
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| So how exactly do you begin the journey of "knowing" God? |
First realize that God loves you. Then acknowledge that you have sinned and need Christ to forgive you. Finally, confess that sin and receive his forgiveness and presence into your life.
Ok, so maybe you're wondering what the next step is. Do I pray or something like that? Yes. Here's a prayer that you can pray right now:
"God, I know that you love me because you created me. I realize that I have sinned and fall short of your honor and glory. I know I need you to forgive my sins and I realize that your son Jesus has paid the penalty for my sins.
I have blown it so many times that I cannot remember every one of my sins, but you can. And I ask that you forgive me of every sin that I have ever committed. Please come and live in my heart forever. Thank you Jesus for listening to me and for forgiving me of my sins. Thank you for making me part of your forever family. I love you, Amen."
If you just prayed that prayer, I want to encourage you to tell someone about it. Tell your spouse, a friend, your parents or someone else you know. I also want to encourage you to come to church this weekend. You need to be around people who can help you grown in your new faith in God.
If you're in Central Oregon, I invite you to visit us here at New Hope Church in Bend. If you do, I have a Bible and some material that I'd love to present to you as our gift. If you live some place else, find a church to attend in your area. If you do not know where to attend, call or e-mail us and we will find a church for you.
Lastly, I rejoice with you on your commitment to Jesus Christ! Welcome to the family of God! |
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| "When we receive Christ, we experience a new birth, a spiritual birth! We are now part of God's family from now and throughout eternity!" See John 3:1-8 |
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