How to Connect to God
Have you ever hoped or dreamed that you could somehow know God or be His friend? God wants that even more than you do! Let me explain…
Each and every person has done something we’d be ashamed of if we were standing in front of God. All have sinned and come short of God’s ideal. It also says our own good acts are as filthy rags in God’s sight, because thinking we’re good enough to get to heaven on our own is pride.
When you were a dot in your mother’s womb, God breathed His breath of life in you, and you became a living being. When you were old enough to understand what’s right and what’s wrong and did wrong on purpose, you rebelled and grieved God’s Holy Spirit. Rebellion is called sin, and sin separates you from God. For example when you were a little boy: “Did you steal that cookie?” And you answered, “No.” Well, you stole that cookie and lied about it! (Or any other lie applies.)
Rebelling against our conscience (which is God telling us not to) is sin. And the penalty or wages for sin is death, spiritual death, which is separation from God for eternity in hell. But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus. By grace (undeserved gift cheerfully given) (divine enablement to do what God wants when we can’t) we are saved (from our mistakes, our stubborn wilfulness, from hell) through faith. And that faith doesn’t come from ourselves or others. It’s a gift from God, not earned through good deeds so that we could take credit.
The Bible says “For God didn’t send His Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through Him.” Also, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? And what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” Nothing!
By trusting in Jesus, He saves us from our rebellion, our wrong choices, and hell. Jesus came to earth to die in our place and came alive again so we can have eternal life.
But God loves you so much, He came here on earth as Jesus to bring you into a relationship with Him. He died for you. Then He rose from the dead triumphant so we could have victory over our circumstances and eternal life with Him. There’s an evil force that we’re no match for alone. The devil knows how to control us, dancing us like puppets on a string. Jesus came to cut those strings to free us to become who He created us to be!
In convict talk, He took the rap for you. No one and nothing is worth going to hell for eternity!
You don’t have to fear dying and you can be confident of having eternal life and be in heaven! Please pray this pray and mean it from your heart with your whole being:
Jesus, I don’t understand it all, but I believe You are the Son of God and died for me so I can have eternal life. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed! I need your peace! I’ve said and done wrong things that hurt other people. And when I did, I hurt myself. But most of all, I hurt You, God, and I’m sorry. I need Your help. I need Your forgiveness.
I open my heart and ask You to come inside. Please forgive my sins. Wash me clean. I give you control of my life….
“Thank You for coming inside! Thank You for giving me a clean heart! Thank You for eternal life. Show me how to love You more! Show me how to live for You with my whole heart! I’m Yours, Jesus! Amen”
If you prayed this prayer, you’ve been forgiven of your sins. You’re a Born-Again Christian! This is the beginning of a whole new life for you!
(The following Bible verses explain further):
GOSPEL SCRIPTURES
Roma 3:23 (KJS) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Roma 6:23 (KJS) For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Roma 5:8 (KJS) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:16 (KJS) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 1:12 (KJS) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: {power: or, the right, or, privilege}
John 14:6 (KJS) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 10:9 (KJS) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
1Cor 15:3 (KJS) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Acts 4:12 (KJS) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 3:19 (KJS) Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Ephe 2:8 (KJS) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works (good deeds) lest any man should boast (take the credit).
Isai 64:6 (KJS) But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Reve 3:20 (KJS) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Mark 8:36 (KJS) For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Mark 8:37 (KJS) Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
John 3:1 (KJS) … Pharisees, Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: came to Jesus by night, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus: How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Luke 15:7 (KJS) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Luke 15:10 (KJS) Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
2Cor 5:17 (KJS) Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.