The Story of God and man
How do we know God? What does it mean to know God?
Is it possible for us to speak to God? Does He answer?
How do we know it is God talking to us?
These are a few of the questions you may ask if you are seeking truth about God and man’s relationship with Him. In order to fully answer these questions, we should begin at the beginning. Genesis chapter 1 begins by talking about the beginning of time.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Sometime later, he created man in his own image as male and female. When he created them, he called them “good.” This meant they were like God and met with God’s approval. God gave man explicit instructions for living in the garden that He created for man. Since the man and woman were one, God called them both “Adam.” He gave them “dominion” or lordship over the earth. Man was lord of the earth. This means he had responsibility for the care of the earth, and the earth would produce food and provision for the man as long as man followed God’s instructions for living.
Man did a foolish thing one day. He disobeyed God. The man and the woman ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Evil was then introduced into man’s dominion on the earth. Since man was a living soul, evil became planted into his thinking. He now knew how to do evil and disobey God. But this was not God’s plan. In fact God warned the man that if he ate of the tree he would die in that day. Man has since been subject to death.
Death takes on many forms. The first sign of death that man experienced was a separation from God. Man’s disobedience did this. Prior to disobedience, man walked and talked with God everyday. After one single act of disobedience, man hid himself from God and was afraid of him. Each person who has ever been born since has had this same disposition toward God. But whatever God does is forever. If he created man as very good, then He intends for man to be just that … very good.
ENTER THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION…
In Genesis chapter 3 we see God’s plan to redeem, or purchase man back from the state of death and cause man to live forever in the presence of God. God tells the man and his wife that they will bring forth child who will defeat the serpent (who enticed the man and woman to sin) and eliminate the devil’s influence on man forever. This “seed” was spoken of over and over again by the prophets who wrote the Bible. His identity was revealed by the Prophet Isaiah, who called his name “Jesus,” which means “Savior,” as he would save all mankind from their sins.
So how does this Savior save us?
Well, he takes our place in death, reunites us with God, and because He is God, lives inside us by His Eternal Spirit, so we are reunited eternally with God. This happens when we are born again.
John 3:3 states, “unless a man is born again He cannot see the Kingdom of God.” We are born again by faith in what Jesus has done for us. John 3:16 says that whoever believes on Jesus (that is trusts that Jesus had paid for his sins) shall not perish, but have eternal life. Jesus came to save, not condemn the world.
The bible also says Jesus came to seek, (or to look for) and save those who are lost. When you are apart from God, you are lost eternally.
Nobody is an exception to these facts and conditions. The Bible states clearly that “all have sinned.”
When you trust Jesus, you must confess your sins, or agree with God’s word, then ask God to forgive you and cleanse you of your sins. You must believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, and was raised up, and is now alive, and will live in you.
Once your sins are forgiven, you can begin a new life with Christ. You cannot have your sins forgiven without the born again experience. God will not forgive you unless you are willing to live for Him. He wants you to make a commitment to live His way as His child. Then he will take care of you and all the promises in the Bible belong to you. You are a joint heir of God with Jesus Christ. This happens only if Christ lives in you.
Once Christ lives in you, you begin a new life of understanding God. You will talk to Him by reading His Holy word, the Bible. The Bible is a history of your life with God. It tells you your true roots, which are your true ancestors, and it even maps out your future. By His Holy Spirit (who now lives in you, too) you are able to know right things from wrong things, plus you will have the power to do what is right in God’s sight. No other book is like the Bible. It is the word of God, and it is alive, because God is alive.
If you would like to have the experience of being born again, you may do so by following the steps outlined above. If you like, you may pray the following prayer, which contains all the necessary elements for salvation.
Say this out loud:
Lord Jesus, please forgive my sins and come into my heart. Change me. Wash away my guilt and make me like you. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I am forgiven and I can now live for you.
Amen.
Now that you have asked Jesus into your heart and life, you will want to share this experience with someone. The Bible tells us to go and tell what God has done for us.
You may do so by e-mailing us at [email protected]. If you like, we will send you a bible, and some instructions on how to begin your new life with Jesus.
You will never be the same again. Enjoy your new life with Christ.
YOU ARE HEALED!
Part of the blessing of the atoning work that Jesus completed for us is that He paid the price for our healing. According to God, we are healed. We receive our healing the same way that we received the new birth. We must hear the Word concerning healing, believe and act upon it by confessing that we are healed. We can then resist sickness and disease with our faith by continually confessing the truth of God’s Word. We may also receive healing through the prayer of faith prayed by a minister of the gospel who is empowered or anointed to pray for the sick. healing is a beautiful gift that God has given to us to keep us strong, healthy, and happy. Rejoice in the knowledge that you are healed!
Now that you are born again, you will want to learn more about this new life. You can begin by reading the Bible daily. Even one chapter per day is a good start. Begin in the New Testament, which includes the laws that apply to us as Christians today. As you study the Bible, God will begin to speak the truth of his word to your heart. Begin to talk to Him, and thank Him for the good things that He is doing in your life. You may find some recorded music that you enjoy, so begin to spend time worshiping God, and of course, praying.
Through prayer, you will develop a closer relationship with God. God loves to talk with us, and He wants to draw us into a deeper relationship with him. Part of this deeper walk includes the gifts of the Holy Spirit, beginning with the gift of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives us utterance. The gift of tongues is God’s way of releasing a heavenly language through us that does the following things:
- It builds up your spiritual strength and knowledge. (1 Cor 14:4)
- It keeps us in the love of God (Jude 20)
- It prays the perfect will of God (Rom. 8:26-28)
- It refreshes us (Isa. 28:11)
- It builds up our most Holy Faith (Jude 20)
- It helps us to pray the mysteries of God into manifestation (1 Cor 14:2)
- It helps us to worship and magnify God. (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:46)
Praying in tongues is a sign that you are a believer. Believers are God’s ambassadors in the earth. When you have received the gift of tongues, then other gifts of the Spirit will manifest in your life as the Holy Spirit sees fit. Praying in tongues regularly keeps us fit and strong enough to be used by God. The gift of tongues is part of our spiritual equipment as soldiers in the Lord’s army.
Your may receive the gift of tongues by praying the following prayer:
Dear Lord:
Thank you for giving me the gift of tongues. I want to be an effective witness for you and do the work that believers are called to do. Thank you for filling with gift of the Holy Spirit.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.