KNOWING GOD
For most people, when they think of knowing God, they think of
"religion." I think that's the wrong word. I believe that the
right word for knowing God is "relationship."
God doesn't want you following a bunch of empty rituals and
mind-numbing rules in order to be able to pretend like you're close
to Him. What He wants for our life is so much better than that.
One of the most amazing things we learn in God's love letter to
us (also known as the Bible) is that He deeply desires to have a
personal relationship with us. Our Father wants to walk with us
through the hard times; He wants to rejoice with us in the triumphs;
He wants to provide us with the strength and guidance we need for
life to be all it can be.
Such a relationship is possible for your life. Even if you feel
distant from God right now or if you've made some major mistakes
along the way, peace of mind and forgiveness of heart can be your's.
How does that happen?
It happens when we humbly come to God and admit that we have made
mistakes and committed sins. We acknowledge that we want in our
lives the truth and peace that we see in the life of Jesus (as we've
read about Him in the Bible). We ask God, through the death of Jesus
on the cross, to make us part of the great exchange: Jesus takes our
sins from us and gives His love to us. We promise that it is our
desire and intention to be a follower of Jesus - both in
thanksgiving for what He has done in our lives and in anticipation
of what He is going to continue to do.
Your prayer might sound something like:
"Father, I know I've been doing things
I shouldn't have and I know I've sinned. I believe in Jesus and
want to live my life following Him.
Please, forgive me through Jesus'
death on the cross and create a new heart in me. I'm looking
forward to all You want to do in my life and I'm glad You loved me
enough to open this door for me to have a relationship with You.
Thank You. . . I love You. . .in
Jesus' name, Amen."
This is, of course, a major commitment. Perhaps in your life
you're standing at the edge, wondering if you should step over the
line. Should you do it?
All I can tell you is that it is the best decision I have ever
made in my life and that I've got a church full of people who say
the same thing.
In God's Peace,
Pastor Jim Butcher
Poca Baptist Church - Poca, WV |
