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Life is a journey: sometimes fast and sometimes slow. But the fact remains – all of us are on the journey. At Creekside we have found that faith offers us the best chance to fully experience this journey. Our lives are designed to be lived in God’s direction. Do you want to know God? Do you want your journey to have meaning and direction? Ask your questions and wrestle with the answers. They are an important part of your journey.

What is Christianity?

Christianity is not a religion. It is a personal relationship with God through Jesus the Messiah. God wants to have a relationship with each one of us – He wants us to be part of His family, and adopts us into His family.

You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, "Papa! Father!" Doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance. (Galatians 4:6-7, The Message)

What is your Purpose in Life?

Becoming a Christian means discovering your purpose in life. It means that you know why you are here and where you are headed.

It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. (Ephesians 1:11-12, The Message)

Once you are connected with Jesus, you will notice changes. Here are just a few of the positive changes that you should begin to experience:

Emotional impact: Joy, patience, peace, etc. - Galatians 5:22-23
A clear conscience - Romans 8:1
Hope in the tough times - Romans 8:26-28
Confidence - Romans 8:31
Future with God - John 3:15-17

What is the basic message of Christianity?

The New Testament talks a lot about “The Gospel”, which means “good news”. Here are 5 core areas of the gospel as taught by Jesus.

1. Jesus will forgive our sins and restore a broken relationship with God.	It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this. (Titus 3:3-8, The Message)
2. Jesus will destroy the power of Satan and death and deliver us from bondage and addictions.	And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:13,TNIV) Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it's logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil's hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death. (Hebrews 2:14-15, The Message)
3. Jesus will change our hearts of stone into soft hearts, and instill in us a love for God and others.	Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' … 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31, TNIV)
4. Jesus will cause us to treat people with compassion, mercy and justice, as God’s loved Creation.	"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” (Luke 4:18, TNIV)
5. Jesus will fill us with his Spirit which will compel us to invite others to join the journey as the New People of God.	But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8, NLT)

Why is it that most people don’t experience this?

Each of us has a natural desire to be in control of our own lives. In spite of this desire we are unable to live a life that is completely without mistakes and selfish choices that are often hurtful to others.

“For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23, NLT)

When we have problems we may try different coping strategies before turning to God.

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 16:25, TNIV)

How does Jesus fit into this?

God Himself came to earth as a human being to bring us back to Himself. The way to God is a person:

Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6, TNIV)

“For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5, NLT)

God has already done everything necessary for us to experience:

Freedom from guilt through forgiveness
A personal relationship with Him
More life – filled to the brim with adventure, purpose and hope
Compassion and mercy for others
The fullness of his Spirit in our lives

If you'd like to become a Christian and begin a new life with God, you can do it right now if you'll pray this prayer:

"Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for the things that I have done wrong in my life.
[take some time to ask God’s forgiveness for anything specific that is on your conscience].
I believe you died for me, so that I could be forgiven and set free. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong.
I invite you to come into my heart and life and to fill me with your Spirit and take control of my life. I want to trust and follow you. Thank you for your forgiveness and the gift of your Spirit. I now receive that gift.
In Jesus' name, Amen."

If you’ve made this decision, please let us know so that we can be praying for you!

How can I explore more about the message of Christianity?

Here are a few suggestions: