Life is full of joys and sorrows that each of us experience in different amounts; but there is one thing we all have in common: a need for God.  We agree with the Christian philosopher, Pascal, who said, "In the heart of every person is a vacuum that only God can fill."  Do you have a hunger for God?  We are a group of people who have come to know God through Jesus Christ.  Have you wondered how to know the living God?  Read on.

How to have a relationship with the Living God through Jesus Christ

Repent
Jesus’ very first message was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 4:17) But what does that mean? To repent is to change your mind and/or direction. In other words, you must change the way you think and act because you are moving away from God. This is sin. It is not a matter of being “good or bad.” It is an arrogant way of thinking that says you can find God on your own, or that you can come to him based on your own standard of righteousness. Repent.

Believe
Jesus told a lady named Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though he or she dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25, 26) Believe – put your complete trust in someone or something. There is a cost for sin. The cost is your life. If you choose not to believe, God will allow you to continue to move away from him (the source of life) for all eternity. Jesus paid the price for our sin. The very source of life offered his life for us. When he died on the cross (John18, 19) he shed his blood for you and me. He gave a life for a life – the great exchange. Believe.

Receive
It was said of Jesus, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12,13) Receive – this happens when you take or acquire that which is offered to you. God is spirit (John 4:24). To be born into his kingdom, you must be born again by the Spirit of God.

Peter, a follower of Jesus, said, “Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) Jesus died; giving his life for ours. Jesus rose from the dead, demonstrating that neither sin, nor the penalty for sin (death) held any power over him. Jesus returned to his place of authority in heaven, so he could send his Spirit to those who trust him and desire to exchange their life for his; his eternal life. Receive.

If you have repented and believed and received Jesus Christ as your living, eternal source of life, you need to know three things:

1.You are forgiven of all sin!

2. God has placed his Spirit in you! Christ in you; the mystery that the world does not understand. (Colossians 1:25-27)

3. You need to learn to live by faith, as the Spirit of God teaches you through his word (The Bible).

If you need help, call or e-mail us. We want to help you begin to grow and learn more about your faith in Jesus.

If you are in need of prayer right now, please contact our office at 541-928-8863, or
e-mail us at dcccprayer@yahoo.com.

32579 Dever-Conner Drive NE | Albany, OR 97321 | 541-928-8863
Filling the earth with the glory of God…beginning here.