Welcome to a page about God stuff.
Before you read on, have a look at a Get Real circle. Which bits describe you right now?
God Stuff is getting to know God. And how to do it.
It is just our nature to want to get to know and be with people. Grandpas and uncles, husbands and wives, children and grandchildren, girlfriends, boyfriends and people everywhere just like to get together. It’s all very personal. Hugs and kisses, laughter and joy are the magic of life.
“Hey! But God’s not like a person!
YES GOD IS. The greatest secret humankind can discover is that the Creator of the Cosmos loves us and we can love God right back.
The something missing problem.
This was one of the bits in our “Get Real” chart.
I am going to be brave enough to say that everyone has this problem until they get to know God personally. Folk young and old who get mixed up with artificial satisfactions like drugs, alcohol abuse, tobacco, promiscuous sex all find out that the satisfaction is fleeting. So-called successful people have the same problem. Possessions and money do paper over the problem but after a while the glow vanishes. Even a seemingly wonderful marriage doesn’t fill that “something missing” feeling.
Humanity’s usual answer is to take or do more of the same in a desperate attempt to make it work.
God’s answer is to get back to loving God in the one He has sent to us, Jesus, who is God with us.
Getting to know this person is the only way to satisfy your longing for peace and is the answer to getting to know God personally.
a. Jesus can deal with the guilt problem.
Be really honest and you will have to admit that you have things and do things in your life you feel are wrong. The really bad ones we bury in our memory but they still pop up. Somehow this nastiness keeps affecting our lives. We get depressed and want to give up or live it up to “Band-Aid” the problem.
We need to experience forgiveness and release from the power of this cancer like guilt. Jesus gave His life to free us. We can come to realize that these mistakes have been forgiven.
b. Jesus can answer the meaning and purpose questions.
The real meaning of life, the universe and all that, is unfortunately, not “42”. The real purpose is a life in relationship with the Creator God.
c. Jesus also has the answer to the death question.
You are a very rare person if thoughts about death haven’t been in mind at some time. Is there life after death? No one wants to die. Is there a possibility of living forever? But why should we bother with this Christianity stuff?
The “Why bother?” question or “Who is this person really?”
This remarkable man, Jesus, is the center-piece of a monotheistic (i.e., one God) spiritual belief that goes back thousands of years. We call before he lived B.C. and after A.D.
Some say that, like Mohammed, he was a wise religious teacher. But that doesn’t fit the all facts of history.
He claimed he was the unique Son of God and was part of the triune nature of the Eternal Creator. While on the earth as man he forgave mistakes (sins), allowed people to worship him, performed miracles and healed the sick. He said he was coming to judge the world.
Among persons of many races and beliefs there seems to be agreement that his teachings are the loveliest, purest and best of all the writings of humankind.
His disciples said that he rose from the dead and so conquered death. Historical evidence is very strong that this did happen so validating his claim to deity.
Why did Jesus come to earth?
Jesus said he came to give his life as a ransom for many. He died for us. He did this because he loves us.
As in the slave markets of old where the kindly could ransom or pay the price for a slave and set them free Jesus paid the price for all the wrongs we have done and set us free.
Believing he is your Lord and that he died for you will give you this freedom from a negative life. Jesus said he came to give us “LIFE”— no more being enslaved by fear, guilt, inferiority and addiction but freedom to be different as you live a new life of knowing and loving a righteous God.
It’s a gift
All this freedom and the Holy Spirit to come and live in you is a gift. You have a choice. Accept and open the package, enjoy the gift.
Sometimes people say “no thanks”, but more often than not the answer to the offer is an excuse. Here are some of them:
Not now, later: the mental “couch potato” who usually misses out through inertia.
Where’s the catch?: modern life teaches us to think this way. God’s offer is really free and no fine print. Jesus paid ALL the price.
I’m not good enough yet: “Ain’t dat de truth!” None of us are. Remember Jesus came and made it possible for us to understand that we are acceptable to God. So we get in just as we are, warts and all.
I’ll have to give up too much of the good times! God loves you and would only ask that you love Him. A loving heart changes our desires and needs towards different goals. God’s pathway is not ‘giving up’ things giving up but being led away from anything that is doing us harm.
All this holy stuff is too hard: By ourselves we have no chance of doing the job. But the Spirit of God will give the power and wisdom to be a disciple.
I’m happy. Who needs God stuff? Being happy without God isn’t our greatest need. We need to know who we really are. We have the possibility of accepting what Jesus has done for us and living as joyous spirit beings. Beats being just happy.
So what now?
Stepping into a Christian life is simple. There is something to be believed and something to be received
The Eternal has done His part through the death and resurrection of Jesus. He is just waiting for each of us to take up His offer.
God’s textbook puts it this way: “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”
In some ways this step is like a couple at a wedding saying, “I will.””
What do I do?
Taking the step varies a lot from person to person but there are a few central ideas.
I’m sorry I messed up and I’m turning away from that stuff. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for me. Please take over my life.
God’s book also says that if you say with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved from the negative life.
Here are the words of a simple prayer you can say out loud if you are ready and really mean to start a relationship with God.
Lord Jesus,
I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn away from all that I know is wrong.
Thank you that you died for me so that I could be forgiven.
Thank you for your Holy Spirit whom I now receive.
Amen.
Next …
- Tell someone, then walk the talk. Make it all real by telling someone about your act of faith. Find other Christians and be with them. Start real living by heeding the teachings of Jesus.