Searching for God

We all find ourselves at some point on a journey through life; seeking to make sense of our faith, which is another way of saying we're seeking spirituality and seeking God. The search we have embarked upon is a quest of staggering proportions. Its dimensions are wide and deep, breathtaking at times, inviting us to the dizzying rims of awe-inspiring vistas, leaving us often wordless in humble silence.

No two people are at the exact same point in their faith or relationship with God. But we're all seeking spirituality and God. Though a healthy faith is bigger than simple knowledge or understanding, searching for God cannot bypass our intellect. But the search for faith also involves the non-cognitive parts of us - our emotions, longings, aspirations, dreams, hopes and fears, drives, desires, intuitions. It often forces us to face some ugliness in ourselves and some hard facts about life, requiring courage, honesty, and determination.

Faith involves admitting with humility and boldness that we need to change, to go against the flow, to be different, to face and shine the light on our cherished illusions and prejudices and discover new truths that can be liberating even though they may be difficult for our ego and painful to our pride. The search for an authentic faith must be the most life-changing conversation and quest anyone can ever launch.

As you are searching for God, consider where you can begin the relationship:

You were created with value and worth. God wants your life to count. Did you know...

God loves you and created you to have a personal relationship with Him.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it. (Psa 139:13-14 NLT)

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NLT)

So why is it that many people don't have a personal relationship with God?

Our sin keeps us from having a personal relationship with God.

But there is a problem--your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. (Isa 59:2 NLT)

For the wages of sin is death,(Rom 6:23 NLT)

What is the solution to our separation from God?

Only through Jesus Christ can you have a personal relationship with God.

Why Jesus?

Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.' (John 14:6 NLT)

Why did Jesus have to die?

Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. (1 Pet 3:18 NLT)

So, how can we begin a personal relationship with God?

You must personally respond by trusting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Eph 2:8-9 NLT)

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12 NLT)

So, what's next?

Your trust in Jesus Christ begins a lifelong relationship.

• God commits himself to you - ...For God has said, 'I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.'(Heb 13:5 NLT)
• You commit yourself to God - And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him. Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done. (Col 2:6-7 NLT)

STOP SEARCHING AND THANK GOD THAT CHRIST IS IN YOUR LIFE AND WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU.

Regardless of where you are in your search for God we would love to connect with you. There are people here at First Church who are also on a journey to become renewed. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Eph 2:10 NLT)