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Can I have a personal relationship with God?

Many people believe that God is real, and that He is interested in their daily lives. Others believe that He is disinterested, and only "watches from afar" - that He has no real interest in knowing them personally.

God has declared His interest in you, and wants you to have a satisfying, and personal, and everlasting relationship with Him.

In the Bible, God says:

"How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!" (Psalm 139:17-18b)

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the LORD. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" (Jeremiah 29:11)

"God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him." (1 John 4:9)

Way back when, Adam and Eve lived in harmony with God - things were "very good."

But, Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Because of their disobedience, sin entered into the world - separating humankind from God. The problem is this: God is absolutely Holy - He cannot be joined together with sin.

Whether you have sinned just a little or a lot makes no difference. The Bible puts it this way: "For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard." (Romans 3:23).

Is there any solution?

Can we have any hope? God tells us in the Bible that the punishment for sin is death - and that death is not just our physical death, but a spiritual death which will cause separation from God and His kingdom for eternity. God says it this way: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23).

So there is good news - God wants you to spend eternity in heaven with Him. Over 2,000 years ago God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to walk this earth and die on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin.

The Bible says: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

So, even though you are separated from God because of your sin, God made a way for you to come back to Him. Today, He offers this salvation to you as a free gift. Would you choose to receive it?

What do I do to receive God's free gift?

1. Admit your spiritual need; "I am a sinner."
2. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross to take away your sins.
3. Repent. Be willing to turn from your sin.
4. Receive Jesus Christ into your heart and life by praying to God.

You could pray a prayer like this one:

Dear God,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner, and that my sins will separate me from You forever.
I need Your forgiveness.
I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins.
I regret my sins, and want to turn away from them.
I now invite Jesus Christ to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my personal Lord and Savior. I commit my life to You today.

In Jesus' name. Amen.