Jesus

Jesus has pursued you with a radical love.

Jesus of Nazareth lived with such perfection that nothing kept him from revealing God's love for us. Our sin, hostility, and pride stand as a barrier between us and the Holy God. When Jesus died on the cross, he took our sin upon himself, absorbing all things that stand between God and us. He paid for our sins with his blood. Through this, he makes us an offer – allow his payment to be applied to our lives by faith, or say no and remain indebted to God. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Opening your heart to His love is the first step in spiritual transformation.

Jesus wants to transform your life.

Without Jesus in your life, there is no hope of fullness in this life, or eternal peace when life is over. Jesus wants to renew you and adopt you into the Family of God, but he will not force this on you, he must be invited. In this moment, invite Jesus to be the Lord of your life. Confess your sin directly to him and sincerely turn away from your old life and turn your face toward Jesus. Declare your belief that Jesus died on the cross to free you from your sin and that he rose from the dead on the third day. Simply pray, "Jesus, thank you for saving me and making me a new person. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and teach me to hear and obey your voice. Thank you, in Jesus' Name, amen."

You are not the same person you were 2 minutes ago.

If you considered the statements above and genuinely placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, then he has forgiven your sins and made his home in the deepest part of you. He has removed the separation between you and God. You have been literally made a new person. The old has gone, and the new has come. The Holy Spirit has quietly invaded your entire being and has personally delivered eternal life to you. He will continue to work in you to make you more like Jesus in heart, mind, and actions. With Jesus as Lord of your life, you will soon discover you are now living on mission for the God of Eternity.

Did Jesus make you new?

As a new follower of Jesus, the world may seem different. Things that once frustrated you might be met with the peace of Christ. Situations that once made you angry will become places where you know the calm of the Holy Spirit. Harmful habits will begin to lose their appeal. Areas of bondage to debt, people, or your past will lose their grip on you as you live in freedom. This is all part of the change.

Here are three steps you can take to grow in your friendship with Jesus:

1) Access a Bible and begin to read the Gospel of John. Find another believer to talk about what you are learning.

2) Talk to Jesus like you are talking to your closest friend. Tell him everything, the good and the bad. When you mess up, apologize to him quickly and ask for forgiveness. He will forgive you. (1 John 1:9)

3) Find a solid Bible-teaching, Christ-centered Church that believes in the Holy Spirit's ability to restore broken people. Hidden Creek is a church like that; we would love to walk with you on your journey.

Let us know how we can pray for you; let us know about your journey with Jesus. Connections@HiddenCreek.Org