God Loves You

Maybe this is the first time you have ever heard that.

Or, maybe you’ve heard it a thousand times before and it seems cliché.

But, have you ever had a life-changing encounter with the love of God? The fact that God loves you is the most profound truth in the universe. The God who existed before anything else and spoke the earth into being loves you. How do I know this? Because. . .

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16



Do You Know It?

If you really knew the love God has for you, your life would radically change. It is impossible to encounter that kind of love and remain indifferent and uninterested. The love and  passion that Christ demonstrated on the cross for you provokes a response.

Perhaps you’ve remained cold and detached as a way to protect yourself from what you think religion is all about. But, this is not about religion; it is about a genuine relationship with the God who created you, knows you intimately and wants nothing more for you than to simply know His love.

THRIST

Jesus went against the social norms of his day and went out of his way to meet a woman at a well. The woman had a bad reputation and braved the heat, getting water at noon just to avoid dealing with the other people in her village. Jesus was waiting for her at just the right time in just the right place.

 Defying the prevailing prejudice, Jesus engaged her in conversation. He challenged the way she was living her life religiously, yet continuously trying to quench her own thirst with dysfunctional relationships. It was a vicious cycle that left her unfulfilled and thirsty. Religion was not enough. Knowing of her thirst, Jesus offered her the living water that would flow from within and provide eternal life.

 In that moment, she discovered that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, the one sent by God to save humanity. She believed in him, her thirst was instantly quenched and she was freed from shame. The woman ran to tell everyone, the same ones she was formerly avoiding, about Jesus. Through hearing her story and seeing her transformation, many came to believe in Jesus. That is an example of the power of the thirst-quenching love of God that is shown in Christ Jesus towards us.

What About You?

No matter how successful we may be at arranging our lives to minimize or numb any emptiness within, just like that woman we all have a place in our hearts that only God’s love can fill. Maybe you’ve tried to fill it with money, people, or religion. None of those things can quench your thirst. Maybe you didn’t realize it until just now, but you are thirsty for an authentic relationship with God through Jesus. We believe that this is the divine time and place that God wants to reveal himself to you.

​[T]hat Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:17-19

This is the Apostle Paul’s prayer. His mission in life was to make known the mystery of Christ so that people would put their faith in Him and come to know His God-sized love. This is our prayer for you and your family. The reason you are reading this is because we want you to discover Christ, put your faith in Him and be filled with His amazing love.

Believe

Whether or not you have warm fuzzy feelings inside, belief is a choice. Choosing to believe in Jesus Christ is the best decision you could ever make. Believing in Jesus is the way to a rich and satisfying life here on earth and to eternal life beyond our present existence.

Sin is a term derived from archery which means “to miss the mark.” We’ve all missed it. That is why we all need a savior.

• “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23."
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• “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23."
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• “But God demonstrates his own love towards us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8."
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• “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9."

Are you ready to believe? Pray this prayer out loud: “God, I know I have sinned. But, I believe that Jesus died for my sins and rose again so that I can have eternal life. Come into my heart Jesus and be my Lord. Thank you Jesus for saving me! 😊

If you prayed that prayer for the first time or to re-dedicate your life to Christ, please let us know. It's a big deal to us. We'd love to celebrate you!

Next Steps

1. Go to Church Like Jesus

Jesus regularly went to church to read the scriptures according to Luke 4:16. Jesus found his identity in the scriptures and was able to overcome temptation by speaking the written truth found in the Bible. If you have invited Jesus in your heart, you want to follow his example. To be like Jesus, you need to go to church!

2. Tell Someone You Know About Your Decision to Believe in Christ

3. Get to Know Jesus

The point of it all is for you to have an authentic, growing relationship with Jesus. Get closer to him by talking to him (prayer), reading your Bible and attending church.

4. Get Baptized

Baptism is a symbol of your sins being washed away and you being raised again to new life in Christ. Like a marriage, it is a public act that demonstrates your covenant with God.