Our relationship with God starts with a recognition of our need for Him. It's the recognition that we have fallen from grace because of our inherent sin, and as fallen creatures we've been separated from God and in need of restoration to Him. The death of Jesus Christ on the Cross provides a bridge between God and us and provides a way of reconciliation to Himself.

God is a God who invites. He gives us the power and right to choose Him or not. When we make the decision to follow Jesus Christ, there must be a tangible response and confession  from our heart and mouth that invites Him into our lives. It can be a simple prayer as the one below:

"Father, I come to you as a sinner in need of your mercy and grace. I thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to die on the cross as payment for the penalty of my sins. Thank you for the shedding of His blood that has brought me into a right relationship with you. I invite you into my heart to live forever, and grant me the grace to yield to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, and to be all you have called me to be - Amen."

Finding a biblically based Christian Church is paramount in walking with Christ. It is critical to our growth and overall spiritual well-being. The Bible says in Romans 10:17 " So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Our faith grows and strengthens as we hear and learn from the Word of God. We are also instructed not to forsake the fellowship of coming together with other believers - Hebrew 10:25 "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Can you imagine going through life without a family? Many of us face that heart ache, and it's comforting to know that God has provided in His plan a new family for us to be a part of. This is what Christianity is all about - it's about coming together as a family,  worshipping God, loving each other, growing together, walking out our destiny, and eventually sharing the Good News of 'Hope' to all those around us. God has a beautiful plan for your life - Look for it, find it and embrace it.

Psalm 119:105 says "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path." God's word is His love letter to us. All of who He is and what He requires from us is encompassed in His word. God's will for our lives is written on the pages of the Bible. 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." Spending quite time reading God's Word, talking to Him, and listening to His voice is all part of building a relationship with Him. As you begin to talk to God, it's important to wait in quietness to hear what He is saying back to you. Like any relationship, spending moments together getting to know each other is critical. Prayer is just simply talking to God. He longs to listen to your heart but more importantly, He is longing to give you His. Communion with God is one way we worship Him. It's letting Him know that He is the most important person in our lives. 

1st John 1:7 says "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." Fellowship and connection with other believers is critical to our walk with God. In fact, if we are part of God's family, we should have the desire to be around others that carry the same fire and desire to live for and please God.

Fellowship comes from the Greek word, 'KOINONIA,' which means “to share in common" or to be in "joint partnership". Connection is not just about attending a church service or an event with other believers, it's about sharing the very essence and deep places of our lives. It's about growing up together into the purposes God has for us individually and corporately, loving and supporting each other, and most importantly we come together to remember the death and sacrifice of Jesus Christ and to celebrate His life. You are now part of a bigger body, and you play a vital role in accomplishing God's plan for you, His church and the world at large.