Wondering about God?
Ever wonder how you sort out what to believe about God? Sure you have. Most everyone does. We’re all on a spiritual journey of one sort or another.
But let’s face it--it’s no easy task to come to any firm conclusions. All of us have important questions, like Can I really be sure God exists? and If God exists, does He care about my life? or even Can I discover why I am here? What’s the purpose for my life?
Life can be challenging
Life's sudden turns themselves can bring those questions front-and-center. When you experience an unexpected loss or disappointment, when you face things that threaten your well-being, your future, even your very life, those “life-questions” become critical. You realize you don’t simply want to meander around without clear direction, some lasting purpose. Naturally, you realize that God, if there, ought to figure into the equation.
Over the centuries, and very much today, the Bible has proven itself to be the source for the answers to the most important questions someone has about life and meaning. It invites your investigation about God, while telling the story about how God is always seeking to establish a personal relationship with an open heart.
Relationship, not religion
Certainly, there are many religious choices today; additional religions are created with each passing generation. But is the heart really looking for, or truly satisfied by, yet another set of religious practices to follow? At First Free Church, we think not.
Here’s where the Bible is so helpful. God communicates in its pages that He loves you, knowingly and personally. What’s more, He very much longs for you to know Him. Life is about relationships, and it is no different with our Creator. He desired so much a relationship with us that He sent God the Son, whom most know as Jesus, to “bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). When anyone enters into a personal relationship with God—an entrance which begins by faith in Christ—life truly begins. “I came to give them abundant life, here and forever,” Jesus said (cf. John 10:10).
At First Free, we’re all about finding the answers to our most important questions, and finding meaning in the spiritual journey. Here are some suggestions for you as you are seeking:
• Begin reading the Bible. You’ll find 66 books in the Bible (cf. Table of Contents), arranged in two sections, the Old Testament (39 books) and the New Testament (27 books). All of the books ultimately point to its main Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. Start reading one of the New Testament books. We’d suggest the gospel of Mark or John. You’ll find out who Jesus was and the remarkable work he did to bring us to God.
• Talk to someone who professes to be a Christian. Ask him/her any questions you have in your Bible reading. Ask why he/she became a follower of Jesus, and how it happened.
• Take a look at the books and web sites recommended by our pastors. There are many excellent resources that can help you think this through. Of course, you can email one of our pastors with any question(s) you have.
• Come to our worship service. When you visit, come up after the service and introduce yourself to Pastor David or one of our pastors. Let us know your seeking so that we can pray with you about your journey.
• Keep seeking after God. Jesus promised, “Seek, and you will find. Ask, and you will receive. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.” God has never disappointed the honest-hearted seeker. James 4:8 simply says, “Draw near to God, a