Knowing God and having Him as an integral part of your life is the greatest, most life-changing thing you can ever do! He is the ONLY One that makes life worth living, so we are thrilled that you are interested in knowing Him.

First, we believe that a person is separated from God because of sin, or failing to do things that please God.

But, the good news is, we don’t have to stay separated from Him. God made a way for us to have a personal relationship with Him in spite of our shortcomings and sins.

The way He has provided is through His Son, Jesus Christ. By believing that Jesus is God’s Son Who rose from the dead and by calling on Him to be your Lord (boss), you can have a relationship with God - a relationship that will change your life forever!

If you would like to have a relationship with God, just tell Him that. He can hear you. He even knows what you’re thinking right now! You don’t need to say any “flowery” words or have someone else talk to God for you. He knows you, He loves you, and He wants you to know and love Him.

Need help knowing what to say? Use the following prayer to help you get started:

Dear Father, I know my life has not been pleasing to You.

I’ve made my share of mistakes, so I come now, asking that You

forgive me and wash me clean of all my sin.

Right now, I’m making the choice to commit myself to You

and give You control of my life.

Come in my heart and change me. Amen

Once you say, “yes,” to a relationship with God, the journey has just begun!

There is so much to know about God! Having a relationship with Him is just the beginning. To grow in that relationship, you need to make steps to get to know Him better. And, guess what! The more you know Him, the more you’re going to love Him!

Here are a few suggestions:

• Get involved in a Biblebelieving church that can feed you truth from God’s Word.

Of course, viewing our Pastor’s Messages section of this website is a wonderful resource that can help you understand and apply God’s Word to your life. However, getting involved in a good church will not only give you regular opportunities to learn about God, it will also help you establish new relationships with other Believers who can direct and encourage you in your walk with God. We would love to have you become a part of our family here at Freedom River; but, if that is not possible, we will be glad to help you find a church that can give you the support and guidance you need. Just send us an email requesting our help, and we’ll get back with you as soon as possible!

• Read your Bible.

If you don’t have a Bible, you’ll need to purchase one, because it is full of practical truths that can really bless your life. In it, you’ll read stories of real people and their own personal struggles with the issues of life, and you’ll be able to learn from their mistakes. You’ll also read countless loving and comforting words that God has spoken to His people.  These words will give you peace, build your faith, and help you see God’s heart and what’s really important to Him.

Does trying to read the Bible intimidate you? Don’t be afraid. There are many different translations and paraphrases today that are very easy to read and understand. We would suggest the New Living Translation Bible or The Message Bible; and, once you’ve purchased your new Bible, be sure to pick up a devotional book as a companion. We have devotional videos and texts on our website called Streamline, and your local Christian bookstore and even some department stores carry devotional books, written to inspire and encourage Believers.

• Pray.

Prayer is simply talking to God like you would talk to a friend. You can talk to God anytime and anywhere, because He is with you always and everywhere you go. Share your dreams, hurts, and joys with Him. He wants to hear them, and you need to share them. When you pray, also remember to thank Him daily for His blessings in your life. Once you’ve shared, give God an opportunity to speak to you. Sometimes, you will hear God as a still, small voice from deep within your heart. At other times, you’ll get an inner sense of what’s right or wrong, the decision you need to make, or the direction you need to take and you’ll “just know” the truth He wants you to hear.

• DO what God says.

It’s not enough to know the truth. God wants you to apply His truth to your life and do what He tells you to do. God knows what is best for you. His commands and instructions are not an attempt to limit your life but to give you MORE life – a BETTER life! Jesus said that His purpose for His followers was to give them a satisfying life that they could enjoy. (John 10:10)  That doesn’t sound like a “killjoy” to me! That sounds like a loving God who has wonderful things in store for us.

Here are some verses from the Bible that can …

• Help you understand the decision you made today to follow God.

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

John 3:16 “God loved the world so much, He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not die but will have eternal life.”

Romans 10:9 “...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 1:13 “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Romans 8:1, 2     “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

II Corinthians 5:17     “…anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

• Encourage and Comfort you

Romans 8:38-39      “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,  neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Psalm 46:1     “God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present and well-proved help in times of trouble.”

Psalm 27:1     “The Lord is my light and salvation – so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?”

Philippians 4:6-7     “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Jeremiah 3:13     “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”

Jeremiah 29:11     “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”