Jesus is the Son of God. He was a man who performed miracles, led prophets, and taught the people of the first-century the ways & love of God. Jesus, also refered to as Christ, came to make payment for the sins of all people. Because of His sacrifice, we are able to have a relationship with God.

Jesus gave His life on a cross at a place called Calvary, just outside of the city walls of Jerusalem in ancient Israel. God brought Jesus back from the dead. This way, God provided a chance for you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus. When we realize how desperately we need a Savior, we are ready to receive God’s offer of salvation. To admit we are sinners means turning away from our sin and selfishness and turning to follow Jesus.

You’re not here by accident. God loves you. He wants you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus, His Son. There is just one thing that separates you from God. That one thing is sin.

The Bible describes sin in many ways. Most simply, sin is our failure to measure up to God’s holiness and His righteous standards. We sin by things we do, choices we make, attitudes we show, and thoughts we entertain. We also sin when we fail to do right things. The Bible affirms our own experience – “there is none righteous, not even one.” No matter how good we try to be, none of us does right things all the time.

People tend to divide themselves into groups – good people and bad people. But God says that every person who has ever lived is a sinner, and that any sin separates us from God. No matter how we might classify ourselves, this includes you and me. We are all sinners.

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

Many people are confused about the way to God. Some think:

• They will be punished or rewarded according to how good they are
• They need to make things right in life before trying to come to God, ie: “Get it together.”
• How could Jesus love them when others don’t seem to?
• They don’t deserve God’s mercy or grace

But I have great news for you! God DOES love you! More than you can ever imagine! And there’s nothing you can do to make Him stop!

“God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

For you to come to God, you have to get rid of your sin problem. But, not one of us can do this by ourselves! We are human; we make mistakes.

The first step toward undoing the sin in our lives is accepting God’s love. HE LOVES YOU. But, it is up to you to accept His gifts of grace and mercy.

All you have to do is just talk to Him. It’s that easy.

It’s God’s grace that allows you to come to Him – not your efforts to “clean up your life” or work your way to Heaven. You can’t earn it. It’s a free gift.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Once you begin talking to God, He shows you how he has been working in your life and the lives of those around you. He shows you the next step…

Three things you can do now to increase your connection with God:

• Pray

Prayer opens your connection to God. He hears all you have to say and will respond. Sometimes His answer can be different than we expect, but God knows the end result of all our needs and does everything for our good.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

• Read His Word, the Bible

What better way to learn about God than going to the source?! The Bible is a guide He made for us. It is a reference for every problem in life. Find out ways to begin here.

• Get connected to a church to begin learning

Visisting a new church can be daunting, but if you take the chance, it can be one of the best decisions you ever make. Being around others, from all walks of life & in different stages of their spiritual paths, means you have the resources you need to start seeking God.

We invite you to find those opportunities and tools by visiting the Pointe. You can learn about what to expect here.

The sad truth is, none of us do. We all fall short of being righteous enough for God. The good news is…. God sent His Son so that our sins are paid for through Jesus.

So what does this mean for you?

It means you are welcome to have a relationship with God no matter what you have said, done, experienced, or lived through. He loves us all; we are all equal in his eyes!

Don’t hesitate, begin learning about God and talking to Him today. He is patient and will always be there for you.

Don’t stress!! Everyone begins their journey in different places. The best way to begin is by buying one and familiarizing yourself with the different kinds out there. Some adults have even begun with a children’s Bible before moving onto more challenging text. That’s okay! The point is starting somewhere. If you need help obtaining a Bible, send us a message and we will get one to you.

The Pointe has a great resource called, “30 Days to Understanding the Bible.” You can also use apps such as Dwell, if you prefer a podcast or study playlists. Check it all out here.

We encourage you to check out “More than A Carpenter” by Josh McDowell. If you want a free copy, you can request it here.

If you have questions in the meantime, let us know and we will provide resources just for you.

Next, you take a leap into faith with fellowship. Visiting the church enables you to make connections and grow in your walk with God.

The Pointe hosts Worship every Sunday at 11am.

You can also check out small groups where dinner & conversation keep you going mid-week. Or, view services On Demand to get a feel for the in-person experience.

Whichever way you choose to connect, we are here to help.

The easiest way to notice God is to list your blessings. Once you have a count of them, no matter how big or small, you will know which areas to watch for change and growth.

It is very easy to be overwelmed by life, so its important for us to be intentional in seeking God. If you take 5 minutes a day to be calm, think about those areas that may be developing, and have an heartfelt conversation (aka prayer) with God, you will be surprised. All of a sudden you will begin to notice odd instances that stand out to you. That’s God’s hand at work for you.

God made us beautifully unique! Our walk in faith will be just as special too. It doesn’t matter when or where you begin, just where you end up.

For the visual learners out there – Think about your path to Him as a number line, you may know very little (1) or you may know much about God and the Bible (10). What you need to remember is, everyone starts somewhere different. And, if you want to be at a level 10, you can get there.

One of the best ways to start is by reading the Bible or talking with someone in a connection group. They can direct you to people that are great mentors and new resources that will help you along the way.

Any time you confess your heart’s true feelings to God, he listens. But, if you want a little direction, try this sample prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I do not deserve eternal life. But, I believe You died to make me a better person; a new creation. Jesus, come into my life, take control of my life, forgive my sins, and save me. I am now placing my trust in You alone. I accept you wholly. Thank you for loving me. Amen.”

You will know which church feels right to you when you find it, but here are a few things to consider during your search:

• Look for a friendly, welcoming atmosphere
• See what ministries and programs are offered (ie: children’s activities, prayer ministries, etc)
• Check the church’s website for their policies, procedures, or routines (What to wear, how the service is conducted, where to park, etc)
• Research the history of the preacher or pastor – where did he or she learn about theology?
• Look for podcasts or videos of sermons to see how easily the message is understood

The Pointe provides a great place to meet these needs. You are most welcome to come see for yourself on Sunday! To make it easy, we’ve listed some helpful pages for you.

The best way to learn about how God wants us to be and is to immerse ourselves in the Bible. It is densely packed, but with dedication, it is easily the best tool we have.

You can always send us an email or call. We are happy to answer any and all questions – or provide you with the resources to find the answer. It’s our mission to serve, and that means helping in anyway we can. Message us 24/7 through Submit A Need.