Finding God

GRACE - unmerited favor. God loving with unconditional love.

God is Good - God is Loving. Though reminiscent of the prayer many of us said as children, these two statements speak profoundly of our just and holy God who makes it His business to come to us with open arms, seeking fellowship with us.

Jesus died for our sin, demonstrating this love for us. His open arms were nailed to a cross. But, as the song suggests, He kept them there regardless of the nails. Such is His love.

If this truth warms your heart, it may be that you are sensing the Spirit of God as He makes this offer to you. Yes, God invites you to turn to Him in faith, and away from sin. God starts this relationship of grace with believers the moment they turn to Him in faith. Christians call this salvation.

Would you pray to God right now? Ask Him to forgive you and trust Him with your life.

If you prayed just now would you let me know? pastor@firstbaptistchurchbc.org

I'd like to be praying for you too. Let me encourage you to find a church and immerse yourself in Christian fellowship, worship, and Bible study.

Speaking of immersion. Jesus' first formal act was to be baptized by John. It's a great example for us to follow, a tremendous witness of God's saving grace in your life, and the best way I know to begin your walk within the community of faith.


PEACE - shalom, the deeply experienced well-being of life which results from knowing God.

Christian peace is more than the absence of conflict. We often experience peace in the midst of great storms. Real peace comes from allowing God into the innermost reaches of our lives. We search for peace in three basic areas of life.

First, in the outer shell of our lives, we have capital needs. We seem to think that if all of our material needs are provided for we will be happy, at peace. It's not difficult to see the fallacy of this logic, though it is hard to break free of it. Face it, we are materialistic.

The next layer of life involves our critical needs. This level involves our desire for human fellowship or acceptance - a sense of belonging. Often you hear someone who has experienced great financial or material disaster say, "at least I have my family." Believe it or not, there's still more to life.

We do need capital. We desire right and fruitful relationships with friends and family, our critical needs. But what about the center of life, what we might call our crucial need? Our crucial need involves control.

Who will control my life? At the crux of our lives a battle often rages. No wonder we experience so little peace. We battle for control, we want it. This is sin. Sinful pride tells us, God and anyone who will listen that we can have that control, and though it be to our ruin, we will have control.

Do you want this peace? Turn away from self-centered life and let God have control. Christians call this repentance and faith.

In a simple prayer you can invite God into your life as Lord. Ask Him to forgive you and trust Him with your life. Jesus came, lived, died, and rose again for this very purpose. He is Lord of creation and wants to be Lord of your life. He will give you peace!

If you prayed just now would you let me know at pastor@firstbaptistchurchbc.org

I'd like to pray for you too. May God bless you with grace and peace.

Comments or questions are welcome!