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Not Religion but Relationship
By Greg Laurie
“Then
the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, ‘Where are you?’”
—Genesis 3:9
If you were meeting friends somewhere but had
to call them because you were lost, the first question they would ask is, “Where are you?” Before they can tell you how to get there, they need to know where you are.
God asked that very question
of Adam in the Garden of Eden. After Adam ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, sin entered the world. So he was hiding.
The Lord came walking through the garden in the cool of the day,
and He called out to Adam, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9 NKJV).
Now, do you think the Lord knew where Adam was? Of course, He did. God knows everything about us. We can’t hide anything
from Him.
In effect, God was saying, “Well, Adam, you ate of the forbidden fruit. How did that go? Are you happy with the way things turned out?”
I think the Lord could ask the same of us today: Where are you? How is your life going? Is this the way you hoped it would turn out? Are you wondering if you’ve missed the whole point of what life is all about?
God loves you. He has a plan for you, and there’s hope for your future. But there’s a big difference between religion and a relationship with Jesus Christ.
It isn’t rules and
regulations; it’s real freedom from the power of sin. It isn’t religion; it’s a relationship with Christ himself.
Being a Christian is asking Christ to come and live inside of you. The
Bible says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12 NKJV).
Only you can do this. No one can do it for
you. The way you become a child of God is by receiving Christ into your life.
Two prayers . . .
This is for All
people in the whole world . . . :
John 3:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Scripture Prayers of Salvation
Pray the following out loud:
John 3:16 … Thank You Lord for loving me so much that You gave Your one and only Son, that when I believe in Him I will not perish but have eternal life. I believe in Jesus with my heart and I ask you to forgive me of all my sins. I renounce
satan and all his works and ways, I choose the truth and disavow satan and all his lies. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord.
Romans 10:9-10 … Thank You Lord that when I confess with my
mouth Jesus as Lord, and believes in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved. I believe in my heart and accept You as Lord. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord.
Isaiah 45:8, 2 Tim
2:10 … Thank You Lord that salvation will spring up within my heart, that I may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. In the name of Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:18 … Thank
You Lord that I may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 19:10 … Thank You Lord that I may grow to find Your Word more precious than much
pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb. In the name of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 42:1-2 … Thank You Lord that You will create within me a hunger, a longing, for You and Your will. Set my heart flames
a fire in love with you. Reveal yourself to me. Make me to love you as you love me. In the name of Jesus Christ.
Dear Jesus . . .
Prayer:
Dear Yeshua (Jesus):
All that I am is Yours. I surrender to You now. All that I have is Yours. I ask You to forgive me of all my sins against you! Please wash them away with the blood that You shed for me at the cross! Nail my sin and selfishness to the cross!
I repent Lord! Create in me a clean heart oh God, and renew the right spirit within me! Cast me NOT away from thy presence and take NOT thy Holy Spirit from me! Forgive me of all my sins! I want to be covered and protected! I want to go to heaven instead of
hell! I believe and speak with my mouth that You died for my sins at the cross at Calvary, and was buried. I believe that You took my sins to hell and rose from the dead on the third day. I believe that You now sit at the right hand of my Father in Heaven.
I believe that You alone are the Savior of the world! I believe that You are my Savior! You are the one and only true Messiah! I renounce satan and all his works and ways!
I
choose the “truth” and disavow satan and all his lies! I make You my Lord and Savior, Yeshua (Jesus) the Christ! This is something that only You can do, so take my heart and cleanse it of all unrighteousness! Purify me and don't stop till I go
to heaven to live with You forever! You are faithful! I give You my heart, mind, body, spirit and soul! All that I have is yours! Come into my heart and live within me! I want to reflect your Spirit! I want to be like You! I was made in your image! Here I
am . . . I surrender my life to You! Fill me with Your Spirit! Lead and guide and direct my path! I ask You for your grace to be an overcomer and finish the race You have called me to run! Thank You for Your lovingkindness! Thank You for drawing me close
to You! Thank You Father God! In the name above all names I pray, Yeshua (Jesus)! Amen!
1 Thess 4:14
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
KJV
John 3:16-18
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth
on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
KJV