For the first time, I wasn't just punching in to do someone else's work to line their pocket, just to get a paycheck. I was doing something for myself. Suddenly, for the first time, my job wasn't just a job. It was an expression of who I am.   

Know what's even better? What's better is discovering that God has a dream for you!    Jeremiah 29:11 records God saying: "I know the plans that I have for you, plans for your well-being and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope."   

Do you have dreams for your future? A great job, a beautiful house and car, nice clothes, fine food? How do you think your dreams for your life measure up to what God can dream for you?   

Ephesians 3:20 says God is able to do infinitely more than anything we can even imagine. In your wildest imagination, you can't even come close to what God wants to do in your life.    So how do you make God's dream for your life a dream come true?   

You're willing to work long, hard hours to get your dream life. Know what you have to do to get God's dream for your life?   

God's Word says: Don't worry about whether you are going to have anything to eat or drink or whether you are going to have something to wear. Your Father in heaven knows you need these things. You focus on His kingdom and His righteousness, and let him take care of those other things (Luke 12:29-34).   

Have you got your dream job? Congratulations! Just remember: No one's dream life can last forever. The economy can go south or you can get desperately sick. Why burn yourself out to get what you can't keep?   

On the other hand, God is dreaming a life for you that you can't even begin to imagine -- and it's a life no one can take away from you. It starts today, and it lasts all the way into eternity.   

You've just got to make one difficult choice: Do you want something nice that you can't keep or something wonderful that lasts forever?  

As wonderful as all that is, each of us still has an empty spot that can't be filled by marrying our soul mate.   

God's Word says He created humanity in His own image. Unlike cows and goldfish, we can have a relationship with the Creator because He made us like himself. In fact, Genesis 3 says God used to come to the Garden of Eden in the cool of the evening. How great would that be? God and you, walking together and talking like two old friends!   

As much as you love your partner, as much as you are part of each other, God loves you and wants to share His life with you.   

Think of God as the father, and you are the child who was kidnapped. How big a sacrifice was God willing to make to get you back?  

God loved you so much that He allowed Jesus -- his one-of-a-kind, God-in-the-flesh Son -- to come show us the kind of life God wants to give us. And the Father did that even though he knew Jesus would suffer and die a horrible death because of it.   

That's probably the kind of love you feel for your partner. Wouldn't you give up your life, even if it meant a horrible death, if you knew the love of your life would be free because of it?   

Well, God loves you that way. He sent Jesus as a ransom for you (Mark 10:45). Jesus came so you could have life that is full and free and forever (John 10:10). When we don't know how to put it into words, God's own spirit says it for us (Romans 8:26).   

Getting married was the most important thing that ever happened to you? Congratulations! That's wonderful!   

Are you ready to experience something even more incredible?  

All of a sudden, you understand what the Scripture means when it says we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14).   

It's a scary responsibility, though, having this tiny person so completely dependent on you. When you think about the potential in this young life and how much is at stake -- and it's all in your hands.   

Somehow, in spite of that, you're excited to have this opportunity, this privilege. You want to take care of this child, even though you know she's going to cause you some heartache along the way. An enormous love for this tiny, precious child wells up inside you.   

Did you know that's exactly how God feels about you? Only He actually created you! He sculpted your parts with His own hands and pieced you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139:13).   

And He didn't just think about the potential of your life. He knew exactly what you could become, if you would let Him guide your life.    He also knew that, in a tempting situation, you would be more inclined to do the wrong thing than the right thing. He knew the heartache you were going to cause Him. He knew you would wind up falling into the devil's clutches.   

And you know what he did? He went ahead and made the sacrifice needed to set you free. He proved how much He loved you by allowing Jesus to die for you (Romans 5:8).   

As wonderful as it is to have a new baby join your family, it's even better to be born into God's family. You have the perfect Father, who understands you better than you understand yourself. He puts His spirit in you, who gives you strength when you need it and comforts you when it hurts.    

And you have a new family, brothers and sisters in Christ, to share the joys and sorrows that life brings.   

God gave you a child, and you have the responsibility of raising her to be an adult you can be proud of. She probably won't be any easier to raise than you were. Don't you think it would be better if you had the rest of God's family to help you through it?  

But education isn't enough. No matter how many PhD degrees you get, your heart is still no different than anyone else's. We're all still basically selfish, out for what we can get, focused on taking care of No. 1 and making the best life for ourselves we can.   

God's Word says: "There is no one who is righteous, not even one. No one understands. No one seeks for God. All have turned aside" (Romans 3:10-12).   

The reason education doesn't solve everything is that we have a heart problem, not a head problem. Jesus said that all sorts of evil -- theft, murder, adultery, deceit, envy, pride -- begins in the human heart (Mark 7:21-22).   

It's like when termites get into the eaves of a house. They tunnel into the wood from behind. When it rains, moisture gets into the wood, and it begins to rot. Outside, the eaves are nice and white, but the wood underneath is rotten. Paint it as often as you want, but the rot keeps eating away beneath the surface.   

So get another degree. Fill your head with more knowledge. But you still won't be a better person than an uneducated tribesman in the jungles of Borneo.   

You want to be a new person? You want to get rid of the old you that is never satisfied and always wants what it can't or shouldn't have? You want to experience the change that sets you free from the sin that rules your heart now?   

Only Jesus Christ can make that radical a change in your heart. But when you admit that your heart needs to be changed and you ask Him to come in and take over, He makes an entirely new person out of you.   

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. The old things have passed away; new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17).   

Are you ready for the education of a lifetime?  

So you load up and get away -- "vacate" the premises. You make a clean escape from the hassles of daily life. You go someplace you've always wanted to visit. You see and do things you would never get a chance see and do at home. You just enjoy yourself, have some fun with your family or friends.   

How totally relaxing! You come back with new energy and enthusiasm. Your soul is restored! You feel like a brand-new person!   

Hate to rain on your parade, but you know it won't last, don't you? The boss is still there, and no one does your work while you are away. It won't be long before the kids are complaining again: "I'm bored!"   

What you need is vacation all the time, right? (Minus the road trip. "Are we there yet?")   

God has that kind of renewal, and it's just waiting on you.    It starts with a new creation. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. The old things have passed away; new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). You open your life to Jesus, and He comes in and changes everything. It's a brand-new you!   

But that's just the beginning. With that new life comes a personal relationship with God. The Bible says its' like the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep.   

"The Lord is my shepherd. I have everything I need. He gives me cool, green pastures to lie down in. He leads me to refreshing pools of water. He restores my soul" (Psalm 23:1-3).   

You can't always pick up and run off on vacation when things get difficult. Spend too much time away, and your boss will find someone to replace you.   

But Jesus is always there. He's waiting for you every morning when you get up. He's right there when you have a problem during the day. He gives you strength when you're struggling and a smile just when you need it most.   

Totally relaxing! New energy and enthusiasm! Your soul is restored! You feel like a brand-new person!   

And the best part is, it lasts forever!  

But could a good family fail you? Could you fail them? What if you had a falling out with your brother? What if you completely failed to live up to your father's expectations?   

We're only human. We do fail each other. Sometimes, it's so bad that we turn our backs on someone we love.   

Want a father who will love you no matter how miserably you fail? What about a brother who understands exactly what you are going through because he has been there himself?   

There is a friend "who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:23). In Jesus, we have a brother who can sympathize with our weaknesses because he has faced all the same temptations. And what's better than a brother who has experienced the same struggles? How about one who won all those battles and can tell you how to win them yourself? Wouldn't it be great to know someone was always there to give you the help you need right when you need it most? (Hebrews 4:15)   

God surely blessed you when He placed you in a good family. There's a wonderful sense of security and belonging in those loving relationships. Don't forget to thank God for that. And don't forget to thank your family for the blessing they have been to you.   

But remember: They are only human. There's bound to be a time when they will fail you or you will fail them. It's certain there will be a time when they aren't there to help you -- or they are there but there isn't anything they can do to help.   

That's when you need Jesus -- someone closer than a brother who not only understands your struggle but can help with anything you face.  

One question: If good health is the most important thing God has done for you, would losing it be the worst thing He could do to you? If you thank God for the good things, what are you going to do when things get bad?   

That's what happened to Job. He was a wealthy man with a great family. Then a horrible sequence of events took it all away -- and he was struck with a disease that covered his body with oozing boils. He's sitting in the ashes, scraping his sores with a piece of broken pottery.   

How much worse could it get?   

His wife's advice was right to the point: "Curse God and die." But Job understood a deeper truth. His reply: "Shall we accept good from God and not accept adversity?" (Job 2.7-10)   

What would you do? Could you still believe He loves you and wants only the best for you? Would you be angry with God for letting you get sick?   

That's exactly what most people do: They blame God for the bad things that happen to them.   

But God sees things differently. The truth is, God "causes ALL things to work together for good" in the lives of His children (Romans 8:28). His Word even tells us to be happy when life gets hard, because those difficulties make us "perfect and complete" (James 1:2).   

Is that hard to understand? Good is good, and bad is good too? In God's way of looking at things, the "bad" things that happen to us can actually be good -- if we let God use them to pull us closer to Him and to make us more like Jesus.   

Does that seem backwards to you? It certainly goes against the way our world thinks. In fact, the Word says it's impossible for someone to accept the "foolishness" of God's ways if they haven't ever experienced the radical change of being reborn into His kingdom (1 Corinthians 2:14-15).   

Enjoy your good health while it lasts, because it won't last forever. And seek God now. Better to understand God's ways and have Him walk with you through the hard times, than to go through life angry with the Creator of the universe because things didn't go like you wanted.  

It's also amazing that so many people act like they deserve the credit for their talents. It's like receiving a gift you could never have bought for yourself, then acting like it's been yours all along and ignoring the person who gave it to you!   

The Scripture talks about a boss who gave his workers some money to take care of while he was gone. (Did you know the word 'talent' came from a Bible story?) Two of the workers multiplied the money; one buried it in the ground until the boss came back.   

Guess which one the boss was angry with! (Matthew 25:14-30)   

The Scripture also says you are God's "workmanship" (Ephesians 2:10). That's good news and bad news. The good news is that God plans to make a masterpiece out of you! The bad news is that you're going to be a marble sculpture -- and He's going to use a hammer and chisel!   

To complete the masterpiece God wants to make of your life, He will have to put you through some difficult times. But He gives you the abilities you need to become everything He dreams of you being.    

Your talents are a special gift from God. He gave them to you so you could complete the mission He has assigned you. When you use them the way He intends, other people will experience His love and forgiveness and their lives will be changed forever.   

It's wonderful that God gave you the talents you have. The question is: Are you going to recognize Him as the who gave them to you and use them the way he wants so He can multiply them? Or are you going to take pride in your talents and offend the Creator of the Universe who gave them to you?   

Celebrate your talents! Give credit where credit is due. And dedicate them to the Giver so He can use them to change the world.  

When you do finally recover, there is no way to describe the gratitude you feel for Him getting you through it. And you feel a special pain when others are seriously ill -- or when they don't get well.   

Do you wonder why you recovered when someone else didn't? You know it wasn't because you deserved to live more than they did. We always hear sad stories about children who die of cancer.   

You may not learn why God chooses to let good people die until the day you have a chance to ask Him yourself. But you can be very certain about why He let you live.   

The Bible says that someone who has suffered physically is finished with sin and lives the rest of his life for the will of God (1 Peter 4:1-2). In one way, that refers to Jesus being so focused on God's will for His life that He was willing even to endure a horrible death.   

But the Bible also is challenging you to learn from your illness.   

Did it make you realize how fleeting life is? Were you shocked at how quickly you can find yourself at death's door? Did it wake you up and make you realize how much you used to take for granted? Did you realize how precious time is and how important it is to not waste it?   

So what are you doing with the gift of life God gave you? Are you taking your life and health for granted again? Are you living your own life and ignoring the fact that God rescued you from death?   

Jesus and His followers met a man who had been born blind. The disciples asked if his disability was the result of someone's sin. Jesus replied that God had allowed the man to be born blind so His power could be displayed. He warned them to do God's work while it is day, because "night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:1-4).   

Then Jesus healed the man, and everyone knew that God is powerful and that Jesus was His messenger.   

God also healed you. Don't you think that was because He still had work for you to do?  

In the depths of that pain, your heart cries out, "Why, God?" Perhaps it's "Why me?" Perhaps it's "Why him?" But all we want is to understand why something so awful had to happen.   

Perhaps the most important question at that moment isn't "Why?" Perhaps the most important question is "Now what?"   

Tragedy is a fork in the road. You have to decide which way to go.   

One direction is blaming God for letting a bad thing happen to a good person. Anger breeds bitterness, and you turn your back on the one who loves and understands you better than anyone else.   

But one poet said that, while tragedy is the end of happiness, it also is the beginning of peace. If, instead of blaming God, you turn to Him for strength and comfort, it's like he wraps His arms around you. He carries you when you can't take another step yourself.   

One name for God's spirit is the Comforter. All of us know how much it means to have someone come alongside and comfort us when we are hurting. The real tragedy is when we are so focused on why something happened that we miss out on what God had in store for us next.    Whenever you are in crisis, God is there. The question is whether you are going to turn your back in anger or let Him wrap His arms around you. It sounds like you decided to let Him carry you through.   

Do you think it was an accident that you were heartbroken and God was there to carry you through? What do you suppose he wanted you to learn from that experience?   

Most people think life is about happiness. Mostly theirs, but maybe yours too. But in God's eyes, life is not about happiness. Life is about relationships -- with Him and with others. Life is about growing up to be like our Heavenly Father. Life is about the peace God gives when you comfort others whose hearts are broken, the way He comforted you when you were suffering.   

God's Word says He "causes ALL things to work together for good" in the lives of those who love Him, those for whom He has a purpose in life (Romans 8:28). He has a purpose for your life. If you choose to love Him instead of growing bitter against Him, He can use even tragedy and heartbreak to do a good thing for you and for others.   

The apostle Paul tells us to "bear one another's burdens" (Gal. 6.2). God carried your burden when you were struggling. Jesus took your load of sin when you could never have carried it yourself. You know what it's like to suffer tragedy and have someone come alongside and comfort you.  

Again, not meaning to be rude, but is that something you do for yourself? If your heart suddenly stopped, could you restart it yourself? 

The apostle Paul told the men of Athens that God "gives all men life and breath and everything else" (Acts 17:25). The book of Job says that if God "withdrew his spirit and breath, all mankind would perish together" (Job 34.15).   

But life and breath is just the beginning of the good things God has done for you.   

Have you never basked in the peaceful glow of a sunset? Never felt the joy of a child's laughter? Never savored the taste of your favorite food? Never been grateful for a friend who stood by you through hard times?    

That list can go on and on. What joy is there in life that isn't a gift from God? And the gifts come with no strings attached. We enjoy life's blessings whether or not we ever thank Him.   

And if all that isn't enough, God loves you more than you even love yourself. He loves you so much that He allowed His own son, Jesus, to suffer and die so you could be free from the power of death and have a life that is full and free and forever.   

God hasn't done anything for you -- He's done everything. And all He wants is for you to realize that and tell him how grateful you are.  

Has God always seemed silent to you? If so, then what you need is a relationship with Him. God isn't silent. You just can't hear what He is saying. God can't be your friend unless you first let Him be your God.   

If you've never begun a personal relationship with God, click <here> to learn how to get there.   

On the other hand, maybe you have been on good terms with God. Perhaps you've experienced the joy and peace that comes from kneeling in His presence. Maybe you've treasured the quiet times when you've poured out your heart and He has spoken hope and assurance into your circumstances. Your problem is not that God has always seemed silent to you, but that He suddenly seems silent to you.   

You need to know that this happens to everyone at one time or another. Remember that your relationship with God is based on facts, not feelings. Reread Romans 8:38-39 and claim the promise that nothing in heaven or on earth can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus your Lord.   

What would you think if your best friend suddenly wasn't as warm and talkative with you as usual? What would you do? Of course! You would go to your friend and ask what is wrong.   

There could be several explanations: Does a sin stands between you? If so, confess it. Have you been neglecting your relationship with God? Apologize and give Him the time and attention He deserves. Have you been receiving from God but not giving to others? Squeeze the sponge! Are you stressed, overworked or physically run down? Get some rest, start exercising again and play a little!    

Any of these things can hinder your relationship with God. The solution is to go straight to the Source and ask the One who knows. You can go to Him with confidence. He wants a close, loving relationship with you even more than you want it.   

The interesting thing about God is that when He seems silent to you, He is actually very anxious to talk with you!  

But most people think eternal life is real, and they have very different ideas about what God requires for a person to have it.   

One person will say you have to be a good person. Another one thinks it's important to have a religion. Someone else says you have to believe God exists or be aware of His creation. Another person thinks joining a church takes care of it.   

The honest ones probably will say they really aren’t sure their answer guarantees getting into heaven. A few will ask what "eternal life" means. More than a few will say "I don't believe in God."    

Whatever you think the answer is, it's the most important question anyone ever asks.   

Browse through the list below and see if you find your answer there. If not, e-mail us at <address> and tell us about it!  

The Bible says God is "holy." That means He is so good and so just and so pure that He defines the words. No one can hold a candle to God when it comes to holiness.   

And God does tell His people -- many times -- to be holy because He is holy. If you want to be His child, there has to be a family resemblance.   

Problem is, none of us is holy. Not even close. The Bible says our best clothes are dirty rags compared to His dazzling white robe (Isaiah 64:6). All of us live our lives our way, not His (Romans 3:10-12). Living your life your way doesn't lead to eternal life. It leads to eternal death (Romans 6:23).   

Try as hard as you want to be a good person and earn eternal life, the truth is that you're human and you're going to make mistakes. In fact, you're not only going to make mistakes, you're actually going to choose to do the wrong thing on purpose.   

And choosing to do the wrong thing on purpose means you aren't good like God is good and you don't have any hope of earning eternal life.    That's the bad news. The good news is that God doesn't expect you to earn eternal life by being a good person!    God knew from the beginning that we would insist on doing things our way instead of His. That's why He sent His Son, Jesus. Jesus showed us how a truly good, sin-free human being would live. And when Jesus the only good man chose to let evil men kill Him, He made the sacrifice none of us could make for ourselves (1 John 4:9-10).   

The Bible says we don't have to be good to be saved from death. All you need to do is declare that Jesus is truly the Lord God and stake your life on the fact that God raised Him from the dead, proving that Jesus was who He said He was (Romans 10:9-10).   

When you do that, God gives you the gift you could never earn for yourself -- eternal life -- and He gives it to you for free! (Ephesians 2:8-9)    Don't deceive yourself with the idea that God's requirement for eternal life is being a good person. If that was true, we would all be doomed.    Instead, be honest. Admit you don't really have a chance of living a perfect, sinless life. Then let God give you the most wonderful gift anyone could ever hope to receive!  

But people say "I believe God exists" as if that was some kind of accomplishment. Who can gaze into the vastness of a night sky or watch a butterfly emerge from its cocoon and insist this marvelous world is some sort of cosmic accident?   

No one gets credit for believing God exists. It's obvious that God is real. The Bible says only a fool thinks there is no God (Psalm 53:1). In fact, it points out that demons not only believe God exists, but they also believe there is only one true God -- and it causes them to tremble (James 2:19).    The question isn't whether you think God is real. The real issue is whether you're going to keep living your life as if he didn't matter  or whether you're going to live your life in a way that gives Him the honor He deserves.   

The good news is that God is not only real, but He knows your deepest hurts and longings. He loves you more than you can imagine, so much that He let His only Son die as a ransom to set you free from the power of death. More than anything else in the world, He wants you to experience His life-changing love for yourself.   

You can believe God exists -- and rank right up there with the demons on the eternal life scale. Or you can admit how much you need and want to experience His love -- and receive His gift of a life that is full and free and forever.    How much time do you need to think about it?    

God's Word does say we are supposed to be faithful about gathering with other Christians (Hebrews 10:25), but that verse is talking to people who already have eternal life. You don't get eternal life by going to church; you go to church because you have eternal life.   

Think about it. Haven't you known people who were church members who didn't act like they were full of eternal life? Just because you've got a membership certificate from the Eternal Optimists Club doesn't mean you're going to heaven.   

If joining a church was all it took, that would mean Hitler could get into heaven. He would show up at the Pearly Gates and tell St. Peter: "It doesn't matter that I was evil incarnate. I was a church member. Here, look at my baptismal certificate!"   

God has spelled out in black and white what He requires for a person to have eternal life: "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10.9).   

Joining a church is something you do. What you do matters, but it isn't what saves you.    

What saves you is trusting a God who loves you enough to give you the gift you could never earn: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).   

You don't go to church without the gift of eternal life any more than a kid goes to a birthday party without a present for the guest of honor. Church without eternal life is boring.    

But getting together with other people who have God's life burning inside -- now that's exciting!  

The Bible says God's creation clearly reveals His amazing power and divine nature (Romans 1:19-21).   

And what a creation! The most basic building block of your body -- the cell -- is actual a complex assortment of microscopic machines made out of molecules, which perform an amazing variety of different tasks. Our planet sustains life because it is the perfect combination of mass and distance from the sun to hold an atmosphere -- which itself is the perfect balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide and ozone.   

And the beauties of the natural world are a perfect counterpart to the list of scientific complexities: the grandeur of Mt. Everest or the Grand Canyon, the intriguing beauty of the Northern Lights, the brilliant blue of Peru's morpho butterfly, the evening sun's peaceful descent below an indigo horizon.   

Only the most callous and cynical soul denies the sense of wonder that overwhelms us as we gaze into a night sky teeming with stars.   

That Bible passage says awareness of God's creation is the universal path to understanding His power and glory. But that same passage also talks about honoring him as God and giving him thanks.   

That's where we hit the snag.   

You see, people are incurably devoted to themselves. Honoring God would require living lives of humility and servanthood, but what we want is glory and honor and power. Giving Him thanks would require admitting we couldn't even draw a breath if it wasn't for Him, but we prefer the illusion that we are the masters of our own destinies.   

Romans 3:11-12 says: "There is none righteous, not even one. There is none who understands. There is none who seeks for God. All have turned aside. Together they have become useless. There is none who does good. There is not even one."   

Only the most naïve and self-deluded soul believes people are naturally good enough to please God and deserve eternal life. Our history is a story of greed, lust and murder. If we got what we deserved from God, it wouldn't be eternal life!   

The good news is that God is willing to not give us what we deserve -- and give us what we don't deserve. When we should have to pay the price for our selfishness, Jesus paid the price instead. Instead of drawing the paycheck of sin and death, God gives us the free gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23).   

And what do we have to do? The Bible doesn't suggest admiring God's creation. The Bible says: "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."     

Being aware of God's creation is important, but it won't get you to heaven. What will get you eternal life is recognizing that Jesus was God's own Son, that His death on the cross paid the price of your sin, and that God's raising Him from the dead proved once and for all that He is the one who can open the door of eternal life for you.   

Yes, it requires humbling yourself before God, and that goes against the grain. But isn't it heaven a fair trade for your pride?    

People have a lot of ideas about what it takes to have eternal life. Some people think you need to be a good person. Others would say you have got to join a church. Some believe you just have to believe God exists.   

But none of them can say they are SURE that will get them into heaven.   

If you don't know for sure what God requires to have eternal life, it isn't for lack of trying on God's part. He has done everything He can to show us the way.    

One of the great things about God is that He wants us to know Him and He is willing to go to extreme lengths to help us. In fact, human history is the story of God revealing himself to mankind.   

In the beginning, God came to the Garden of Eden in the cool of the evening to visit Adam and Eve. Later, God called Moses up on a mountaintop and gave him instructions to help the Hebrew people live like God wanted them to. For centuries, God spoke to prophets so they could pass His words on to the people.   

But Adam and Eve disobeyed God. The Hebrew people refused to follow the instructions. And the prophets were beaten and killed for relaying a message people didn't want to hear.   

But God still wanted people to know how to have eternal life. So He did the only other thing He could do: He sent Jesus to not only tell us but to show us how to live God's kind of life.   

Jesus was a man, but He was more than a man. He was God in the flesh, a living, breathing example of what it was like when one of us had a perfect relationship with our Father in heaven. When Jesus taught, it was God's very own Word. When He healed people, it was God's very own power. When He allowed himself to be tortured and killed, it was God's very own suffering to pay the price for our sin. When He raised Jesus from the grave, it was God's very own victory over the power of death.   

Then, so we wouldn't forget all those important examples, God put it all down in black and white. He gave us the Bible -- the written Word of God to teach us about the living Word of God.   

And the Bible tells us plainly what we need to do to have eternal life: Declare that Jesus really is God in the flesh and stake your life on the fact that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10).   

You CAN be sure what God requires for you to have eternal life. He has laid it out for you in the simplest possible terms.   

The only real uncertainty is whether you want to live the kind of life Jesus lived -- or whether you'd rather stick with the lousy mess you've been living.  

But that can't be true. Some religions are just plain evil. Does anyone really think that devil worship or a religion that requires child sacrifice is going to convince God to give you eternal life?   

Of course not. But if there are false religions, maybe that means there are true religions. But which one? Would God be impressed with the self-denial of Buddhism? Maybe one of the 300 million Hindu gods would be just right for you. Islam says it offers the only way to have peace with God. Judaism is the original One True God religion. And the many brands of Christianity offer a flavor for just about anyone.   

How do you make up your mind? Isn't there some way to know where the truth is?   

First of all, having eternal life has nothing to do with religion. Religion is mankind's feeble attempt to convince the spiritual powers in the world to help him -- or at least not hurt him. And lots of terrible things have been done in the name of religion, even the Christian religion.   

The issue in having eternal life isn't a matter of practicing the rituals of some religion. Having eternal life is an issue of having a right relationship with God.   

So how do you know how to do that? There have been thousands of teachers throughout history that promised to show their followers the truth. How do you sort them out and decide which one you can trust?   

Good news: God has taken care of that for you! He has endorsed one teacher in such a dramatic way that there's no doubt but what He is the one who can show you the way to have a right relationship with God.   

When God raised Jesus from the dead, He proved that Jesus was His Son (Romans 1:4). All the other teachers of history have died and turned to dust. But the grave that held Jesus' body is empty. He is alive and sitting next to God in heaven! (Mark 16:19)   

Which would you rather trust to get you into heaven: Some man-made religion? Or the words of God's own Son?  

Not believing in God doesn't change the fact that He is real. The evidence is all around us in every detail of this incredible world we live in. Deep inside, we all know it's true. God has to be real. All this can't be an accident. None of us wants to believe our life is a meaningless accident.    When you talk it through, most people say "I don't believe in God" because they feel He has let them down. Maybe they are angry that He allowed something bad to happen to them or someone they love.   

What they mean is "I can't believe something like that would happen if there was a God" or "I don't trust Him any more."    

Not believing in God is the worst mistake anyone can make. It's sad when people turn their backs on God in a terrible situation, because they miss out on the most wonderful thing in life: feeling God wrap His arms around you and give you comfort and peace in spite of the horrible thing that is happening.   

The Bible talks about God as "the Father of mercies and God of all comfort ... who comforts us in our affliction" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). God promises "I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow" (Jeremiah 31:13).   

Deep inside, you know God is real. Everyone does. And the truth is that He loves you more than you can imagine. When you can't believe in anyone else -- not even yourself -- you can still believe in God.    

The truth is, He believes in you. He knows your hopes and your hurts. He knows what you can become with His help. When you turn to Him, you can trust Him to be there for you. He promised: "I will not fail you or forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). Who else could keep a promise like that  

Probably the best-known Bible reference to eternal life is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."   

In that verse, "eternal" translates a word in the original language that means "agelong." The idea is of life that never ends. It points to an afterlife where there is no death. But it also is talking about eternal life that we "have" right now -- not "will have someday."   

Jesus -- who God raised from the dead -- made a promise to people who have eternal life: "I Myself will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40). That gives you hope for the future, even if life right now is really hard.   

Eternal life means escaping the power of death. This life is ruled by death. Everything that lives will die. Physically, there is no way to escape it. But death wasn't the end of the story for Jesus -- God brought Him back to life. In the same way, death isn't the end of the story for us. The Bible says: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).   

What eternal life is NOT is eternal death. John 3:16 says that people with eternal life will not "perish," a word that means "be totally destroyed." Matthew 25:46 talks about "eternal punishment" as the destiny of people whose lives aren't lived God's way. If eternal life is living forever with God, then maybe the opposite is dying forever, or maybe it's living forever apart from God.   

But eternal life isn't just something that starts after you die. It's also a here-and-now thing.   

"Eternal life" also refers to the quality of this life. Jesus said "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). "Abundantly," in the original language, means "more extremely." When ordinary life is routine and boring, Jesus gives you a new life that is Xtreme!   

Eternal life is God's own life, living in you. If you want to know what that means, look at the kind of life Jesus lived. Piercing insight into the most troubling and confusing problems people face. Strength to win the struggles with sin that people usually lose. God's miracle-working power that turns impossible situations into exciting victories.   

Eternal life is full and free, like a natural spring that keeps bubbling up fresh, cool water even in the time of serious drought (John 4:14).   

Most of all, eternal life is the kind of life that results from a close, loving relationship with our heavenly Father and His only Son. “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3).   

Eternal life is a life that is full and free and forever. It is peace, joy and assurance. It is comfort, strength and hope. It's never-ending life with God life in heaven after we die, but it's also abundant life here and now.   

It's the kind of life all of us really want. It's the kind of life we can never achieve. It's the kind of life God gives us for free when we finally admit how much we need His help.    

Experience God Reading the Bible.   

The Bible tells a story, the greatest story, of God taking the initiative to show his love by dying on a cross for people.  Perhaps you have seen the bible verse John 3:16 on display at football games or on TV. Have you read the verse?   

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”.   

This popular verse says that God loved you so much that he gave his One and only unique son.  Actually this verse summarizes the main message of the Bible.  It is especially made clearer in the New Testament of the Bible where Jesus Christ is revealed as the hope for all humanity.  This means you!   

The Bible also provides guidance for those who are in a relationship with Him. Psalms 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”  This means that the Bible, God’s Word, is a roadmap to life.     

It provides guidance, direction and assistance in the everyday things of life.  Hebrews 4:12 says that God’s Word is “living and active.”  How can a book be alive?  It means that the Bible speaks to every situation of life and that God has not left us alone to try to decipher His will.  His will is in the pages of the Bible and we can draw from it principles that help us live a full exciting life.    

God speaks to his people through the words of the Bible.  As people read it they are not just reading ordinary words but words that come from God.  It is from God.  2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”  God-breathed is a phrase that is rich in meaning.  It literally means, “Breathed out from God.”     

This means that the Bible is inspired which just means it is from God.  Because the Bible comes from God it is a unique book and different from all other religious writings because in it’s foremost purpose it reveals God and his ways, thoughts and love.  The Bible can unquestionably become the epitome of guidance and understanding in everyday life for people.   

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”    

Meeting together is important to our spiritual growth and encouragement.  We are to “spur one another on” to those things that will help us grow as believers. We learn, sing praises to God and pray in Christian gatherings.   

God Deserves Our Worship!   

At church we worship and celebrate God’s grace and love.  We also worship God because of who he is.  Psalm 73:25 says, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.”  The writer of this verse understood that God alone is worthy of praise because of who he is.  He is the greatest, utmost and supreme Creator of the universe who displays his love to people everywhere. Nothing or no one greater than God! We have the opportunity and privilege every week when we come together with likeminded believers to worship God.     

In the Old Testament the word for “worship” meant to literally “bow down.”  As worshipping believers, our hearts, minds and lives “bow down” before the One who created and sustains us by His love.  Of course, worship doesn’t just happen in a church building--worshiping God can happen at any time and place. But times of corporate worship are important and significant.  God is worthy of our corporate worship also.  Together we show God what is most important to us.    

First of all, God is personal being.  He is not a principle or philosophy of life.  He is a personal being who relates to men and women. Jesus said,  “God is spirit (John 4:24).  He is not an ideal but is personal. He relates to people on a personal level. Just as people have the ability relate to others, God relates to us.  He is a relational, personal being.   

God is present everywhere, all-powerful and all knowing. It is hard to imagine being all-anything, right? God’s attributes are what make him uniquely God. To say that God is present everywhere is just a way of saying that there is nowhere a person could go to escape God’s presence.  It’s a mind-bending kind of statement but it’s one that scripture teaches.  In Psalm 139 David wrote, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” [Psalm 139:7-12]      

God is also all-powerful.  This means that God is not our equal—He is way above anything people could ever be!  He is the Creator and sustainer of life.  Everything that is in the world is here because God caused it to happen.  He also sustains, maintains, nourishes, and supports our universe.  Without Him our world would spin out of control.  This is encouraging because God is the one who can help us in our time of need.  Isaiah says, "The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” [Isaiah 40:28-31]   

God is also all knowing. This is another mind-boggling statement but means that God knows everything that is possible to know; past, present and future.  This is reassuring as Christians because we realize that God is someone who understands us.  Isaiah asks, “Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?” [Isaiah 40:13-14]  And Romans says, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” [Romans 11:33-36]    Find out how you can take steps to follow God. Follow the link and study the WALK presentation. You will finds that God can be known and that knowing him is beyond mere personal opinion.  

Matthew 28:19-20 lays the foundation for our sharing.  It says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Witnessing is not an option for the Christian.  He is our example.  He came and laid down his life for ours and set for us an example of how we are to do the same.     

II Corinthians 5:18-20 reminds us, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us…”     

Don’t just sit around waiting for people to come to you-- go to them! There are many ways to do this. The Most Important Thing website can help you get started right away. Why not post your story online and share with your friends? Take a look at the “Share Your Story” section on this site http://www.mostimportantthing.org/Testimonies/Submit.aspx   

Your story is powerful because it is yours! It is yours because it happened to you. What tremendous pleasure and important responsibility.  We are “Christ’s ambassadors.”  We are his representatives and we are to share and love with the same kind of love and intensity that Jesus loved and shared.  God’s love and appeal is made through us.  God uses us to get his message of reconciliation across to people.     

It’s amazing that he has decided to use us!  What a privilege it is to share God’s love to the world.  And who better to share than people who have been changed by God’s love?  There is no better person to share with your friends and family than those who have experienced God’s grace.  All you have to do is answer three little questions and you have a story to share!   

The Bible teaches that all who don’t know Christ are without hope and lost.  There are only two destinations for people; heaven or hell.  Therefore, it’s of the utmost importance that we take our responsibility seriously.  I Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do so with gentleness and respect…”     

Here are a few helps for sharing your story with others:  First, share because Christ is Lord in your life.  He is the boss and we serve him out of love and loyalty.     

Secondly, be prepared to share, sharing doesn’t happen carelessly and haphazardly.  It may take some effort on your part to learn how to share in a culturally relevant way.  Look at the Most Important Thing website CROSS Training. We have developed a multi-dimensional evangelism system that can help you effectively share the Most Important Thing--knowing Jesus Christ! http://www.mostimportantthing.org/Order/ct/index.htm   

Thirdly, share in ways that do not offend people.  Peter says that we are to share with “gentleness and respect.”  If we genuinely care about people the way God does and the way Jesus did when he was here on earth, then we will share in respectful ways.     

A great place to start with sharing is thinking back on the details of when you first believed in Jesus.  What was your life like before you believed?  What were some of the things and issues you were facing?  How did you come to know Christ?  Did someone share with you about God’s love?  Did you just happen to visit a church one Sunday?  How is your life different now that you have believed in Jesus?  How has his love and grace changed you?  What’s different about your life now?  What do you think God is saying to you about your life and how and in what ways you can serve him more?     

These and other questions thought through and answered are a great way to share with friends and family about your new life in Christ. Then log onto the Most Important Thing website and submit your story http://www.mostimportantthing.org/Testimonies/Submit.aspx  

Obedience shows our love for Jesus.  Christians are not just robots, blindly doing what Jesus says without knowing why.  We have a love for Christ that so overwhelms that we cannot help but do what he wants.  In John 14:21-24, Jesus makes this connection.  “If you love me, you will obey what I command…Whoever has my commands and obey them, he is the one who loves me.  He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”     

These are not threats to make us want to love Jesus!  Our actions show where our hearts are really. When we really understand God’s love and the significance of Jesus’ death on the cross, we want to obey him--because we love him so much!  When you are in a love relationship, obedience becomes a natural thing.     

One of the main reason God wants us to be obedient is that He knows what is best for us but also he wants us to live the good life of obedience, holiness and purity.  I Thessalonians 4:3 says, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified; that you should avoid sexual immorality.”  Sanctified means “set apart” for God.  We are in a special relationship with God and because God is holy he wants us to live holy lives also that are pleasing to him.  I Thessalonians 4:8 says, “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”  He has called us to this type of obedience because he loves us and wants what’s best for us.     

Sometimes believers do not always do what is right but the Holy Spirit is always there to guide us and convict us so that we will get back on the right track and repent of our sin that grieves God.    

Start your new WALK with Christ with obedience. You can find out more about this by studying the WALK presentation, follow the banner link below.  

Why Not Go Back?  How long has it been?    

Think back. When was the last time you were in a church? Has it been more than six months? A year? Even more? Why did you go?  Was it for a wedding or a funeral? If you have not been to church in a while, you may be surprised at all the changes. Perhaps the reason you have been away isn't even relevant anymore. Either because you have grown, or churches have made changes for the better.    Is it really all that scary or bad?     First, you may have to overcome the things that have been holding you back.  Going back to the day you "left" the church--what was the issue that made you "leave"? If you want, God can help you heal that hurt. He can walk with you through the problem no matter what it is. If it was something you did--God can help you. He says, "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins be as crimson, they shall be as white as wool" (Isaiah 1:18)    

Did someone hurt you?    

Maybe someone hurt you, you are not to blame at all. You may have to forgive someone. This may be hard to take--but that's what Christ is all about. The whole story of Christ--the center of what he came to do, was forgive.  You know, it isn't easy but it is what Jesus would have you do. Considering what is a stake, can forgiving really be all that scary or hard?  Why should you let someone else keep you from enjoying what is rightfully yours?   

Are  church members really hypocrites?    

This is a classic argument people make for not going to church. Rather than make a debate about it here. Let's just say it--there are some real phonies in church! There are people who think they are better than others are, etc. But there are phonies everywhere--at work, on the street where you live, in politics, and so on. You can spot them a mile a way!  But fakes are no more populous in church--it just seems so much worse because church is supposed to be something else, right?     

Can you imagine a church that said "We don't allow phonies and hypocrites to attend"? Imagine what kind of inspections they would have to do? It's comical to think about really! Would you want to be a part of such a church? Would you really pass muster, anyway? Let's be honest, we've all played the fake once or twice in life. Most times, if we will admit it, we aren't really talking about any one particular person when we say there are hypocrites in the church--we just use that as an excuse to tell others why we don't go.  We feel we need an explanation of some kind. And the whole hypocrite reason leaves us looking good. As if we have never acted inconsistent with the things we say we believe and think.     

You don't need an excuse here. You are alone reading this on the internet--be honest. You can overcome this one! Jesus was the biggest advocate of being true to God and real. Jesus said, "…true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks." (John 4:23)    

Can you really worship God all alone?    

Some people feel they have a special deal with God. One that means they are the kind of person who doesn't need to get together with other Christians and go to church. If you feel this way, you may be thinking, "Hey, I can worship God better on own my own." Think about this one, Jesus said, "…true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks." (John 4:23) Are you being honest about this? Is this the right spirit? What if God really wants you to experience something else? The image of the church is of a living body where members grow together. How can you do it alone?   

Why can't I just watch religious TV?    

You can watch Christian TV and learn a lot of things. You can also see some pretty strange things too! If you are living on a steady diet off Christian TV shows, you are still missing out on something. People, real live living people who will get to know you, hang around with you, eat with you, laugh with you, and so much more.  Back up and take a look at this again--can TV really deliver what you need to grow as a believer?     

Eventually, you will reach a point where you get tired of just watching things happen--and you want to get involved. Going to church will help you because you will interact with other Christians who are going through the same things you are. You could have an actual conversation about your life in Christ with another person! Contact with believers who are like you, and contact with others who are more mature in the faith, can help you become more discerning about matters of Christian faith. That will help you cut through the clutter of the sometimes flaky teaching now available on TV.   

There's  too much politics in church?    

Some people ruin church for others because of their quest for control--you expect it in the work place and the marketplace--but at church? It seems so much worse when this happens in church. This is not a new problem. Even in the days of the New Testament, the apostles had to deal with people who sought power and control. Even Jesus had it happen in his own group of disciples. Sometime, read the story of how the disciples James and John had their mother make a play for them to sit on Jesus' right and left hand in his Kingdom. Politics will continue to be a part of anything that involves people. But Jesus said, "My Kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36)   

I am not so bad. I am not a skeptic, nor  Anti-Christian.    

Statistics show that the typical person who doesn't go to church in the United States considers himself /herself a born again believer.  Does that describe you? Nobody has to convince you that Jesus is God, or the Bible is God's word. But still you are not part of the life of a local church? You may be surprised to know that you are not all alone in your lack of church attendance. There are people you know right now who are believers in Jesus--but you would never know it because of their lifestyle. Would people be surprised at you if you told them you were a Christian? You are just not all that hot on being out there as a Christian, right. Okay, but reflect on the words of Jesus when he said, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" (Revelation 4:15)    

If you are thinking of getting back to church--let us help you!    

Contact us at questions@mostimportantthing.org for information about area churchs. Or log onto www.BGCO.org for more information about Oklahoma Baptist Churches.      

"What is the most  important thing that has  ever happened to you?"      

That's a Big Question!   

When we asked that question on the streets of Oklahoma, we received many different answers. What would be your answer? Was it the day you got the job you have now? Your wedding day? The day your kids were born? Or the dream trip overseas?   

But what if that important thing never happened? What if it was still all just a dream?  Would you still be able to reach back into your life and find something meaningful? Many of us might reach into our spiritual experiences to find meaning. That's great!      

So, what if you were to ask yourself...     

"What is the most important thing God has ever done for you?"    

A Question of Life or Death?   

Our simple person-on-the-street survey of Oklahomans revealed people regarded the fact that God had given them a good family, health, or protection from some tragedy as the sign God was watching over them. Thank God for the times he bails us out of the tight spots when we call on him  in our hour of great need!    But how about this, what if that moment of escape  never happened? Or, imagine if you were told by a doctor you were going to die soon--in an instant, y our life focus would change, wouldn't it?.    

Remember how the events of September 11, 2001 showed us how short life can be? You don't have to tell an Oklahoman that life can end sometimes very tragically. There is a memorial in downtown Oklahoma City to remind us of the very minute precious Oklahoma lives were cut short. The Federal Building Monument stands as a permanent  illustration  that life is short.    

So the question becomes, what is life after life going to be for us?     

What do you think God requires for a person to have eternal life?      

If you are reading this now, perhaps you are thinking about this question too. In a recent survey of 8,000 Oklahomans, it was shown that a surprising 73% had an incomplete answer for that very question.  Maybe the reason so many have no answer for that question is because they haven't actively sought the answer. That is the purpose of the Most Important Thing Website, to explore the important questions of life and help people who are seeking life after life find their way to Jesus Christ.   

Are You  Exploring For Answers?   

Explore the Most Important Thing in a spirit of openness Hey, you are on the internet, there is no pressure from anyone--it's just you and God thinking this through now.    

Take some time and really explore the site, watch all the videos, read people's stories, explore the gospel's true meaning, learn what it is like to WALK in a new life in Jesus. Follow some of the links to explore further. This site is dedicated to you and your needs.