A Relationship with God

This post answers the questions in the Newspaper ad: Feb. 28-March 7.

A relationship with God: is it possible?

Did our Creator God get the ball rolling then step back? Is He interested in His creation? Why would He care about us?

All three Persons of the Godhead were present and participating in the creation of this earth.

Genesis 1:1-2, 26.

1) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2) The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

26) Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over [all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

John 1:1-3;

1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2) He was in the beginning with God. 3) All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Before the earth was created and humanity fell into sin, God had a plan to redeem humanity.

18) knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19) but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20) He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you..." 1 Peter 1:18-20

He did not just get the ball rolling and walk away. After the fall, He came in the cool of the day calling for them. He pursued them. He came to them where they were, in the circumstances they wrought. He came with a plan and a promise to save them. He has never stopped pursuing humanity.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

God gave Himself to redeem us. He paid the penalty for our wrong choices, selfishness, and pride (Romans 6:23). He gave us the gift of eternal life through Him (Ephesians 2:8).

In the Bible, Jesus is described as the Shepherd.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." John 10:11

A good shepherd loves His sheep, protects His sheep, and provides for His sheep.

11) For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

12) “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13) And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14) Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 18:11-14

Sheep follow their shepherd. They hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:4). He leads them into good pasture and by still waters and safely into the sheepfold. Read Psalms 23.

Jesus is the Door to the sheepfold. All can have peace and safety and hope and assurance of salvation through Him. It is exclusive in that only through Jesus can we be saved, but inclusive in that all can be saved.

13) And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14) I will be found by you, says the Lord...

Jeremiah 29:13-14a

The word “search” in the context of this verse means that a person truly desires to know God. They are determined to find the true way. With all their heart they intelligently seek God. Thus, God promises that they will find Him.

No greater experience awaits, then to know God and His tender, loving heart towards you. Nothing is more uplifting or more fulfilling than this. Following Jesus’ example is life changing.

Jesus, as God Himself, came to this fallen world to live among us and be like one of us (except He did not sin). He died for our sins -- dying our death and paying our price for sin. Then He resurrected and went back to heaven where He is preparing a place for you and me (John 14:1-4).

As a compassionate High Priest, Savior, Advocate, Brother, and Friend -- we can trust Him with our lives, our troubles, our heart, our everything. He understands. He invites us to come boldly to His throne of grace in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16). Surely the Bible reveals our Creator God who has pursued us and did everything necessary to save us, He very much wants to be a part of our lives. He seeks us. He calls us. He invites us. He shows us His example of love.

What does it look like today, to follow Jesus?

What does a saving relationship with Jesus look like? What are the blessings and benefits of following Jesus?

And His example of what a relationship with Him looks like. As we read the four Biblical Gospels, we will see how Jesus lived intimately connected to Heaven Father. He met Him in prayer often, and communicated with Him all the time. IT was a very deep, abiding relationship (Luke 6:12; John 14:31). He was always about His Father's business and focused His plan for Him, everyday (Luke 18-19; John 5:19).

We are called to be aware of the weaknesses of our flesh and therefore be fortified with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit at all times. This is a tremendous privilege! Think about it – we have unlimited access to infinite power!

A relationship with God: is it possible?

What does it look like today, to follow Jesus?

Follow Jesus’ example and seek Him first in all things (Matthew 6:33).