This is what I'm talking about!
John and I decided to go through the book Experiencing God, together. I've decided, to keep me on track, I will journal about anything interesting I learn or hear from Him while reading it.
Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby, Introduction, p.2
God's Invitation
God knows what your life can become. Only He understand your full potential as His child. He does not want you to miss out on anything He has for you. I believe that within the heart of every Christian in an innate desire to know God and to do His will.
When you became a Christian, you were immediately adopted as a child of the heavenly king. The king’s business became your business. And now, as your Savior and Lord, Christ wants to bring your life into the middle of His activity, which offers salvation to every person on earth. God Himself will give you the desire to serve and obey Him. The Holy Spirit will create within you a longing to know the Father’s will and to become involved in what God is doing around you. Yet God has far more in store for your life than merely giving you an assignment to accomplish for Him. He wants you to have an intimate love relationship with Him that is real and personal. Jesus said: “This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent – Jesus Christ” (John 17:3).
Eternal Life - Now
Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10). Would you like to experience life in its fullest and richest dimensions? You may, if you are willing to respond to God’s invitation to enjoy an intimate love relationship with Him.
Prerequisite: A Saving Relationship with Jesus Christ
Perhaps you were baptized as an infant. Or you may have regularly attended church since you were a child. You have even be a leader in your church. Baptism, worship attendance, and church involvement are all appropriate, obedient responses to a relationship with God. However, they do not create or replace the relationship. Was there an occasion when you repented to God for your sins and asked Christ to be your Savior and Lord?
If not, then the most important thing you could possibly do right now is to obey what Scripture exhorts and settle this matter with God. Ask the Lord to speak to you as you read and consider the following Scriptures:
· Romans 3:23 – All have sinned.
· Romans 6:23 – Eternal life is a free gift of God.
· Romans 5:8 – Because of His love, Jesus paid the death penalty for your sins
· Romans 10:9-10 – Confess Jesus as your Lord and acknowledge that God raised Him from the dead.
· Romans 10:13 – Ask God to forgive your sins and trust Him to do so.
To place your faith in Jesus and receive His gift of eternal life you must:
· Recognize that God created you for a love relationship with Him. He wants yout o love Him with all your being.
· Admit you are a sinner, and that you cannot save yourself.
· Believe Jesus paid the penalty for your sin by His dearth on the cross and that He rose from the dead in victory over death.
· Confess (agree with God about) your sins that separate you from Him.
· Repent (turn away from) your sins.
· Ask Jesus to save you by His grace, which is an undeserved gift.
· Turn over the control of your life to Jesus.
If you need help, call on a minister, a deacon, an elder, or a Christian friend. If you have just made this important decision, tell someone the good news of what God has done in your life. Then share your decision with your church.