know Jesus

Jesus Christ came to fill a longing deep inside of us. He came to give us eternal and incredible life and peace. He said, He that believes in me has life. Both you and I were created to do great things for God but not without Him. Now, before you write all this off as narrow-minded or naive, let me ask you a simple question: Have you ever tried him for yourself? I don’t mean have you tried religion or going to church. Have you personally placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and asked him to give you a life that is transforming to you and others around you?... a life that transcends any life that we can manufacture. Have you surrendered to him and let him have your life, your dreams, your failures? The amazing truth is he loves us, no matter what we’ve done or haven’t done. Jesus said, “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.” Here’s how you can know Jesus in a personal and life-giving way: 1.First, know and understand that you were created for a life ‘more than this’. God created everything perfect in the beginning of time. The story of life is a story that drips with beauty and purpose, victory and freedom. The narrative that God has written ends this way too. God has reclaimed creation for Himself and will one day resurrect and reconnect with everything in the universe. 2.At one point just after creation, in the garden of Eden, humankind let God down. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fallen below God’s standards of perfection.” So from the get-go, when left alone to make wise choices, humankind failed. From the beginning of my life and yours, we were separated from God because sin has tainted everything. So this is bad news. 3. But there is good news ... God provided a saviour, a redeemer and liberator to save us from the reality and consequence of sin, our separartion from Him. God gave up his only Son to take our place in judgment. All we need to do is believe and trust that Jesus was a good enough replacement as God’s only Son, who died and came back to life so that we could have life. He took our place. 4.Our part is to confess and surrender to Jesus as Lord, trusting him to forgive our sin and give us new life. The Bible tells us to “SAY THE WELCOMING WORD TO GOD—"JESUS IS MY MASTER"—EMBRACING, BODY AND SOUL, GOD'S WORK OF DOING IN US WHAT HE DID IN RAISING JESUS FROM THE DEAD. THAT'S IT. YOU'RE NOT "DOING" ANYTHING; YOU'RE SIMPLY CALLING OUT TO GOD, TRUSTING HIM TO DO IT FOR YOU. THAT'S SALVATION. WITH YOUR WHOLE BEING YOU EMBRACE GOD SETTING THINGS RIGHT, AND THEN YOU SAY IT, RIGHT OUT LOUD: "GOD HAS SET EVERYTHING RIGHT BETWEEN HIM AND US." Romans 10:3-5 (the Message) 5.That heartfelt prayer could also look like this: Dear Jesus, I know I have sinned and done things that are wrong. But I believe you died on a cross, was buried, and then came back to life. I know you are real and alive today. Please wash me clean of my sins. Forgive me of all I’ve done wrong against you and others. Come inside my life and save me now. Be my Saviour and be my Master. Thank you for saving me and giving me new life right now. Thank you! That’s it! Whatever you choose to pray, know and believe that Jesus took your place on the cross setting you free to live for his great purposes, transforming you into something new and refreshing. That’s all you need to do to be his child forever and ever! Please contact me and let me know of your decision to trust Christ as your personal Saviour and Lord. I’ll send you some information that will help you in your new adventure with Jesus! Your new brother in Jesus! Pastor Shane