Finding God

At some point in our life's journey, we come to realize how inadequate we are to deal with all that life throws our way. At some point we realize the things we fought so hard to attain or to achieve simply did not satisfy our desires or meet our expectations.

At some point we realize we cannot fill the lingering void in our heart on our own. While the pursuits of pleasure, relationships, money, power, and other things may satisfy us for a short time, we ultimately find that the empty longing inside us always returns. It is at this point we discover the strength to fill this void can only come from the One who placed it there.

We discover the love and the power of our risen Lord and Savior. We discover Jesus.

THE PROBLEM
God created us to have a relationship with Him and to experience true, lasting peace in this life. That "missing peace" inside every man, woman and child is caused by our separation from God which is a direct result of our sin.

Here's what the Bible says in Isaiah 59:2

"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."

Romans 3:23 says it like this

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

OUR ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM
People have tried many ways to restore this lost relationship with God, but no amount of effort or good deeds on our part can ever pay for our sin.

Titus 3:5 says

"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy."

Eph 2:8-9 says

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."

Regardless of which path we may choose to try and reach God, the fact is, there is only one way to find Him.

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12)

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

GOD'S SOLUTION
Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for our sin and restore our lost relationship with God. Read what the Bible says in the following verses

"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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17)

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." (1 Peter 3:18)

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8)

OUR RESPONSE
Just knowing all this intellectually is not enough. We must act upon it by trusting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, believing in Him by faith, and receiving His free gift of salvation.

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20)

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12)

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Rom 10:9)

HOW TO FIND THAT MISSING PEACE
You can receive Jesus Christ right now, wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever you've done. His free gift of salvation is your only hope to find that missing peace in your life. Here's all you need to do:

1. Admit your need. ("I am a sinner.")
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3. Believe that Jesus died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
4. Pray and invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)

There are no exact words you have to pray. Simply put your faith in Him and pray something like this.

"Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You alone as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen."

YOU CAN HAVE ASSURANCE!
If you prayed this prayer, you can know for sure that God heard you and has forgiven your sins. the Bible says

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Rom 10:13)

"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:12-13)

If you just prayed that prayer, you have just made life's most important decision! We would love to celebrate this wonderful moment with you.

Please go to our Contact Us page and send us an email to share the good news with us.

The people of the Church of the Good Shepherd will commit to praying for you by name as you begin your new life in Jesus Christ.

WHAT NOW?
Now that you have accepted Jesus into your life, what do you do next?

First, you need to begin reading the Bible and praying regularly. It is through God's Word and prayer that we come to know God more and learn how to live as a believer.

Second, you need to find a good, Bible-believing church. Fellowship with other Christians is a critical part of your spiritual growth.

Also, you should be baptized. While baptism does not save us, (it is by faith alone that we are saved), baptism is an important step to outwardly show what has already happened to you on the inside. Finally, remember to share the good news of salvation with others. God bless you as you grow in the Lord!

(Used with permission from LifePoint Community Church Greenville South Carolina. Excerpts taken from Steps to Peace with God, World Wide Publications.)