This blog is about PlusLife, the ability to have a life that is more than normal, better than just everyday and greater than what you could get by just existing on this planet. Jesus said that He came to give “life and life more abundantly”. More abundant than what? Than what you experience by just being born and doing the best you can.
God desires to give you a new life, eternal life, through His Son Jesus Christ. So how do you connect with God?
* Believe that God loves you. This is the beginning of any great relationship. You believe that the other person really does have your best interest at heart. God says that He has loved us with an everlasting love, one that never ends and doesn’t change because of our circumstances. The world may love us when things are going well, God loves us always
Jeremiah 31 3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
* Know that God desires to have a personal relationship with you
Jeremiah 24 7 I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
* Know that sadly, our sin (the things we do that are wrong in God’s sight) separates us from God
Isaiah 59 1 Listen! The LORD is not too weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf. He can hear you when you call. 2 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.
* Trust that God has made a way to have a relationship with you. This is so important. God doesn’t expect you to make yourself good enough for Him, He comes to you and makes a way for you to have a relationship with Him. Remember, God like everyone else, gets to set the standards for who will have a relationship with Him. In His plan it is through Jesus Christ that we come to know our Heavenly Father…
John 3 16 “For 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
How did God “give” His Son? Jesus came to earth, and walked this earth like you and I, except for sin, He committed no evil. The Bible says that the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23), but Jesus committed no sin. He then offered Himself to the Father, sacrificing His life to die for the sins of all people. That sounds incredible, but that is what great love does. Jesus dies on a cross, an instrument of death for criminals, so that we could have our sins forgiven and taking away the penalty of death to all who believe in Him.
*Accept that relationship for yourself. Christianity is a personal choice. God has already made the offer of heaven to you through Jesus, but He will not force a relationship on you.
John 1 11 He [Jesus] came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Romans 10 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is LORD,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
If this is truly what you want and what you believe, then tell God. Pray and ask confess to God that you believe these things and want to have a relationship with Him through Jesus.
Taking this step is a big step, but one that I have never regretted and never have been ashamed of. God is great and He is good, and I feel so much better knowing that my past is forgiven, my future is secure and my present can be more abundant and free with God so personally involved. If you would like to ask a question or if you need more help please email me at pluslife.ministry@gmail.com
So what now??
1) Let someone know what you have done… You can leave me a message below, email me at pluslife.ministry@gmail.com or talk to a Christian friend. You can even contact the pastor at a local church and let them help you along the way.
2) Start getting involved with other people who believe these things… you can attend a church in your area, get to know some people that can encourage your faith. I am involved in the Southern Baptist Convention and if you desire you can locate a church here. You may also know a friend, co-worker or neighbor who attends a local church.
3) Get a Bible and begin to read… if you don’t have a Bible there are many Christian book stores around or my favorite online store is www.christianbook.com. There you will find lots of Bibles to choose from. My personal favorite versions to read are the New King James (NKJV) and the New International Version (NIV).
Now don’t worry that you may not understand all that you are reading, it’s alright. I would suggest you begin by reading the book of John in the New Testament. It’s full of stories and the teachings of Jesus.
The Christian life is one of knowing you are loved and giving that love to God and others. The Bible tells us that there are two great commandments above all others…
Mark 12 28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
God bless you and His best to you as you begin this great journey of following Jesus.
February 1, 2011 at 10:30 am
Thanks for this lovely and inspiring saying, I have a big problem and need help both spiritual and physical! I was reading HRM at Fordhan Institute but have to quite based on financial crises for two years now. I desire to go back to school so please help me in any means you can especially with your prayers for financial breakthrough. Thanks in anticipation, God richly bless you, amen!