Cirrovista - How You Can Know God

"But the bible is filled with crazy myth and impossible things." "It's written by men." "It's unsubstantiated."

There are many opinions about the Bible.

As it turns out, archeology, history, and other tests have validated most of the Bible as historically precise and irrefutable. In fact, the Bible is used as historical basis for research. Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, is a real town, still here today - as is Nazareth, Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, Mount of Olives, Garden of Gesthemanie, Egypt, and virtually every location Jesus, Paul, and others visited. Most are enshrined and surrounded by countless monuments.

The tomb of the patriarchs for Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, is a sight to see. Ephesus, Euphrates, Rome, Corinth, the Dead Sea, Colossi, Israel, Palestine, Ethiopia, Athens, Thessalonica, and others are real places that can be vistited even today. The widow's mite is a real coin you can buy for about $30, an a Denarius coin with various emperors of biblical times. Religious book? No, how about accurate historical record. Here is a very tiny slice of biblical archeology referring to the Red Sea. It is some evidence of the crossing of the Red Sea from Exodus where Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt through the water. (From Ron Wyatt Research 1978 - 1987)

Another good book is "The Bible Lands" and "In the Steps of the Apostle Paul" by F. F. Bruce, Rylands Provessor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester through 1978.

Best Wishes for your prosperity!

Know God

Just as there are physical laws that govern the physical universe, so are there spiritual laws which govern your relationship with God.

1. God LOVES you and offers a wonderful PLAN for your life.

(References contained on this page are from the Bible and should be read in context wherever possible.)

God's Love

"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" (John 3:16 NIV).

God's Plan

[Christ speaking] "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" [that it might be full and meaningful] (John 10:10).

Why is it that most people are not experiencing the abundant life?

Because...

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2. Man is SINFUL and SEPARATED from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God's love and plan for his life.

Man Is Sinful

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Man was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own independent way, and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is evidence of what the Bible calls sin.

Man Is Separated

"The wages of sin is death" [spiritual separation from God] (Romans 6:23).

HOLY GOD

________________

SINFUL MAN

This diagram illustrates that God is holy and man is sinful. A great gulf separates the two. The arrows illustrate that a man is continually trying to reach God and the abundant life through his own efforts, such as a good life, philosophy, or religion - but he inevitably fails.

The third law explains the only way to bridge this gulf...

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3. Jesus Christ is God's ONLY provision for man's sin. Through Him you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life.

He Died in Our Place

"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

He Rose From the Dead

"Christ died for our sins...He was buried...He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures...He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

He Is the Only Way to God

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me'" (John 14:6).

GOD

JESUS

(bridges the gap)

MAN

This diagram illustrates that God has bridged the gulf which separates us from Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins.

It is not enough just to know about these three laws...

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4. We must individually RECEIVE Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.

We Must Receive Christ

"As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).

We Receive Christ Through Faith

"By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).

When We Receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth

(Read John 3:1-8)

We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation

[Christ speaking] "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him" (Revelation 3:20).

Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for your sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. You receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of your own choice and will.

These two circles represent two kinds of lives:

1. The Self-directed life

Self is on the throne. Interests are directed by self, resulting in discord and frustration. Christ is outside the person's life.

2. The Christ-directed life

Christ is on the throne. Self is yielding to Christ. Interests are directed by Christ, resulting in harmony with God's plan.

Which circle best describes your life?

Which circle would you like to have represent your life?

The following explains how you can receive Christ:

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer:

(Prayer is talking to God)

God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested conversation with God:

"Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be."

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If it does, we invite you to pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.

Call that loving Christian you know, or get into a good loving church - but remember, church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints, so don't expect perfect people - we are all learning, and need lots of forgiveness and grace, as God has given to us.

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Ps 139:1) I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Ps139:2). I am familiar with all your ways (Ps 139:3). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matt.10:29-31). For you were made in my image (Gen. 1:27). In me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28). For you are my offspring (Acts 17:28). I knew you even before you were conceived (Jer 1:4-5). I chose you when I planned creation (Eph 1:11-12). You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Ps 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14). I knit you together in your mother's womb (Ps 139:13). And brought you forth on the day you were born (Ps 71:6). I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me (John 8:41-44). I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love (1John4;16). And it is my desire to lavish my love on you (1John3:1). Simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matt 7:11). For I am the perfect Father (Matt 5:48). Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17). For I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matt 6:31-33). My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jer 29:11). Because I love you with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3). My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand at the seashore (Ps 139:17-18). And I rejoice over you with singing (Zeph 3:17). I will never stop doing good to you (Jer 32:40). For you are my treasured possession (Ex 19:5). I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jer32:41). And I want to show you great and marvelous things(Jer33:3). If you seek me with all of your heart, you will find me (Deut 4:29). Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (PS 37:4). For it is I who gave you those desires (Phil 3:13). I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Eph 3:20). For I am your greatest encourager (2Thess 2:16). I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2Cor 1:3-4). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Ps 3418). As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you closee to my heart (Is40:11). One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Rev 21:3-4). And I'll take away all the pain you've suffered here on this earth (Rev 21:3-4). I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus (Jn 17:23). For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed (John 17:26). He is the exact representation of my being (Heb 1:3). he came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. (Ro 8:31). And to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2Cor5:18-19). Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2Cor 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1Jn 4:10). I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Rom 8:31-32). If you receive the gift of my son, Jesus, you receive me (1John 2:23). And nothing will every separate you from my love again. (Ro 8:38-39). Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7). I have always been Father and will always be Fatgher (Eph 3:14). My question is...will you be my child? (John 1:12-13).

Love,

Your Dad

Almighty God

Ref: Father Heart Communications, www.FathersLoveLetter.com, NLT Bible. Used by permission.

We've all experienced rejection and at times we've felt undesired, uncouth, unaccepted, unworthy, and seemingly unwanted. But, we've never been unloved!

Matthew 7:7-12 says: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

To start a relationship with, and know God, simply involves simply believing that God loved you so much that He sent His Son Jesus to pay for our sins. Sins have separated us from God and his love, but the barrier was torn down when the righteous nature of God was satisfied by payment on the cross by God's son Jesus Christ. It cost Him dearly. But as Easter celebrates, Christ rose from the dead after 3 days, demonstating God's resurrecting power, now freely available to all who believe in Jesus' work on the cross, and God's goodness. But, wait, we are not children, but rather old, jaded, darkened and hardened adults. Many are unable to accept His sacrifice at this time. But, He is patient, having waited for us all our lives. And, we can rely on His promise that if we earnestly seek Him, that we shall find Him. "Seek and you shall find, knock and it will be opened to you!" Talk to Him privately, you don't need a televangelist or a church to look to Him, only a willing heart. I was in my living room on the couch when I called on Jesus and received forgiveness and put my life in His hands. See below if you want to establish a relationship with God, the God of the bible, with whom all things are possible..