Peace with God

You may feel that no one really understands you or cares what happens to you. But God cares. He knows everything about you - your hopes, dreams, fears, regrets, and failures - and He is just waiting for an invitation to become intimately involved in your life.

No matter what has happened to you, no matter what choices you have made, God loves you. God says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love."¹ He knows everything about you. He understands your frustrations, your loneliness, your heartaches, your regrets, your hopes, and your dreams.

You can experience the reality of God's presence. You can find lasting peace. You can pray, and know that God hears your prayers. And you can find true meaning and purpose for your life.

The Problem - Our Separation

God created us for relationship with Him. Apart from that relationship, we are disconnected from our spiritual source.

Life without God will leave you empty. Living for yourself will leave you frustrated. Independence from God and the determination to be a "self-made" woman or man will never bring peace or lasting contentment.

Sin separates us from God. The Bible says, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."² Selfishness and independence separate us from God. Sin is a barrier that prevents us from experiencing God's presence and peace in our lives. It hinders us from finding and fulfilling our purpose.

The greatest sin of all is rejecting the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ - whether we reject Him through active rebellion, or passive indifference.

The Solution - the Cross

God has made a way for us to be forgiven of sin and liberated from sin and selfishness. The Bible says, "But God has shown us how much He loves us-it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!"³

Jesus Christ, God's Son, died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin. He was resurrected from the grave and is alive today. He will come to dwell in you by His Spirit and give you a brand new start, if you will turn the control of your life to Him.

Jesus said, "You must be born again."⁴ He was referring to spiritual birth. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, our spirits are awakened to the knowledge of God. His Spirit fills us; from that moment forward, we can experience intimate communion with God. Rather than just knowing about God, or believing in the existence of God, we truly know him in our newly born spirits. As the Bible says, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."⁵

When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we become children of God.

The Bible says, "As many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in his name."⁶

A New Beginning

God promises a new beginning to everyone who becomes His child. The Bible says, "…Anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and Him."⁷

This scripture promises the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, the opportunity for a new beginning as a child of God. Through Jesus Christ, you can experience peace that endures, grace that empowers, love that heals, and faith that spurs you forward.

We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. When you take this step, the spiritual barrier that separates you from God is removed. God will fill you with His Spirit and empower you to become the woman or man you were created to be.

Jesus Christ promises that all those who come to Him will experience "rivers of living water" in their innermost being. The living water of God's Spirit washes away disappointments, sin, painful memories, bitterness, and guilt. It quenches our thirst for intimacy with God. Most exciting of all, it nourishes our God-given potential, releasing us to discover and fulfill our divine purpose.

Prayer for a New Beginning

Salvation is a free gift to be received. Jesus Christ is waiting for an invitation to come in to your life. In fact, He says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in."⁸

If you sense Christ knocking at the door of your heart, all you need to do is invite Him in by faith. Acknowledge your sin, admit your need for Him, and ask Him to come you're your heart. It doesn't matter exactly what words you use - following is a suggested prayer.

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know that I am a sinner and I need your forgiveness. I believe that you are the Son of God and that you died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin. I believe that you rose from the dead and that you are alive today. I ask you to forgive me of my sins, of going my own way, of trying to do life without you. I ask You to come into my life and make me a new person. I turn from going my own way, and I commit my life to you as my Savior and Lord. Please help me to grow in my relationship with you, and thank you for the grace and power working in me to transform me into the person you created me to be. Help me to discover and fulfill the unique potential and purpose you have for me. Thank you for the gift of eternal life, and thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, who has now come to live in me. I pray this in Jesus Name, Amen.

Growing in Your Faith

If you prayed this prayer sincerely from your heart, you are now a child of God. He accepts you just the way you are. You have trusted in what Jesus Christ did for you when He died on the cross, rose from the grave and ascended to heaven. He paid the price for your sins. You are forgiven, cleansed and given a fresh start. The barrier separating you from God's love and presence has been removed. Jesus has reconciled you to your heavenly Father. You are His child, and part of the family of God.

God wants you to pray and get to know Him. How do you do that? Just talk to Him as though you were talking to your closest friend. Tell Him your fears, concerns, hopes, and needs. As you do this, you will become increasingly aware of his presence in your life. Peace will fill your heart, for the Bible promises, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."⁹

One of the best ways to get to know God is by reading His word - the Bible. Start with the gospels, and read through the New Testament. Don't read it like a textbook-read it like a love letter from God to you, for that it is exactly what it is.

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The following references are from the Holy Bible:
1. Jeremiah 31:3b
2. Romans 3:23
3. Romans 5:8
4. John 3:7
5. Romans 8:16
6. John 1:12 2
7. Corinthians 5:17, The Message Translation
8. Revelation 3:20
9. Philippians 4:6,7