Knowing GOD Personally

It is possible to know God personally...	In fact, the very reason God created us is so that we might know Him personally. But...to many people God seems far away, distant, and impersonal. Obviously there is a problem!
The Bible teaches that God Loves you "For God so loved the world...that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16 and...God wants you to know Him personally "Now this is eternal life, that men may know Him, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent." John 17:3 but...man is separated from God and His love "God is on one side and all the people on the other side." 1Timothy 2:5a Why do you think man is separated from God?
	The Bible says man's sins have separated him from God... "...your sins have made a separation between you and your God..." Isaiah 59:2 "All have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 God created us to know and love Him, but man chose to go his own way and that relationship with God was broken (Romans 1:19-21). This attitude and its results are what the Bible calls sin. This separation caused by sin creates some severe problems.
Sin causes us to: Miss God's very best for our life. "Jesus said...I came that you might have life and have it to the full." John 10:10 Face death and judgment. "For the wages of sin is death..." Romans 6:23 "...those who do not know God...will pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord." 2Thessalonians 1:8-9 BUT...there is a solution!
	Jesus Christ died and conquered death for you We deserve death and judgment, but Jesus took upon Himself the punishment for our sins, so that we could have a personal relationship with God. "God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus is between them to bring them together by His life for all mankind." 1Timothy 2:5 Jesus is the way to God "Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to God except through me.'" John 14:6 Does this make sense to you? Still, it's not enough just to know this...
Each of us by faith must receive Jesus Christ if we want to know God "To all who receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God." John 1:12 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this faith is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8 The "A,B,C's" of faith involve: Acknowledging your need -- admitting you have sinned and desiring to turn from that sin. Believing Jesus Christ died in your place and rose again to be your Savior -- providing forgiveness for your sins. 1Corinthians 15:3-4,17 Choosing to invite Christ to direct your life. You can evaluate your current relationship with God by asking...
	Which life best represents your current relationship with God? Self-Centered Life Separated from God Self-directed life Guilty Eternal life in hell (2Thesssalonians 1:8-9) God-Centered Life Knowing God Personally God-directed life Forgiven Eternal life in heaven (John 17:3) Which life would you like to have?
Your desire to have a personal relationship with God, can be expressed through a simple prayer like this... "Dear Lord, I want to know You personally. I am willing, with your help, to turn from my sins. Thank you for sending Jesus who died in my place and rose again to be my Savior. Come into my life and lead me." Amen. Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If it does, you can pray it right now and begin a relationship of knowing God personally. If you are unsure, what is keeping you from receiving Christ right now?
	What happens when you receive Christ into your life? If you have begun your relationship of knowing God personally, the Bible promises: Christ comes into your life. Revelation 3:20 You become a child of God. John 1:12 Your sins are forgiven. Colossians 1:14 You begin the adventure of knowing God personally. Philippians 3:8 Am I to feel different? It is important to remember that we rely upon God's Word, not our feelings, as proof of our having Christ "within us." "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." Romans 10:9 "To all who receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God." John 1:12 Regularly thank Christ for coming into your life...and be sure to tell someone else about what you have done.
How to grow in your relationship with God! 1. Talk to God about everything! -- PRAYER Philippians 4:6-7 2. Listen to God by reading the Bible -- BIBLE STUDY Hebrews 4:12 3. Spend time with others who know God personally -- FELLOWSHIP Hebrews 10:25 4. Help others to know God personally -- SHARING Matthew 28:19-20 5. Let God daily direct your life -- OBEDIENCE John 14:15 Please know that I am only an email or phone call away. In Christ, Jeff Morgan jeffmorgan@visionjem.com phone: 303.693.5600 You can obtain this tract in printed form from Sonlife Ministries at www.sonlife.com