Many people ask, “Is there a God and Who is He?” “What’s his purpose?” My answer is simple. Yes…There is a God who created everything, and He wants to rescue us through His Son Jesus. There is a lot to God and Jesus for sure. But too many people and institutions (like the churches) have confused the masses of people with way too much information. The big take away and what each person needs to focus on is that Jesus came to earth to rescue us from the world and its sin. Many thousands of books have been written about Jesus (who is God by the way) and his plan for our lives and what we must do to execute this plan. Much of that information is false and some it is flat out lies. Jesus came first and foremost to rescue us…..period. He loves us unconditionally with a grace that exceed our understanding. He did not come to condemn or shame us into believing we are unworthy. Nothing can buy or earn his love and forgiveness. His whole story is a rescue mission and you and I are His mission if we just believe it to be true.

Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost”.

James Bryan Smith writes, “In Jesus’s death we see God’s desire to forgive us. His offer of forgiveness is extended to all people for all of time. There is not a person, living or dead. for whom Jesus did not die for.” This statement has been polarizing for people for thousands of years. So, did Jesus say everyone is redeemed regardless of their actions? Are atheists forgiven and on their way to heaven even though they don’t believe in God let alone believe in Jesus and his death on the cross for our sins. Who is in and who is out one might ask? Personally, I believe that Jesus did die for everyone. I believe there is redemption for every one of every race, color, religion, etc. HOWEVER, there is one more important part to salvation. It has to do with another important aspect of this subject. It is called free will. Smith further writes, “There is nothing left for to do other than open our hands and receive God’s gift”. This is the key, open our hands. It is an act of acceptance. In summary, God rejects no one – but many, many people reject God. That is what needs to be impressed on people. The problem isn’t God, it is us. I pray that you will “open your hands”.

Revelation 3:20 – Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

If you are reading this to object to it, then don’t bother. If you are reading these words to oppose what is being written, then don’t bother. If you are reading this because you are curious about who Jesus is or would like to bump into him, then read on. You see, Jesus will never force his ways or his truth on anyone. He says that he will stand at your door and knock, but you have to OPEN THE DOOR AND INVITE HIM IN. No one else can do this for you, no one else can answer the knock for you. You and you alone must open the door and invite him in. This is who Jesus is. He will stand at your door for a lifetime knocking if that what it takes. No one else—whether it be mom or dad or your wife or your best friend can answer the knock. My hope is that you will at some point in your life open the door and invite Jesus in and be changed forever.

Revelation 3:20 – Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come and eat with that person, and they with me.

Writer and author Bob Gass put into words the disconnect that people have with Jesus because we don’t fully understand who Jesus is and what he is all about. Bob Gass writes, “God is not interested in religion: He is interested in having a relationship with you. Religion only becomes significant when it enhances that relationship. which it doesn’t always do. Often. religious rules and regulation become a deterrent to a relationship with God. The Bible is filled with religious people who missed connecting with God altogether. Sometimes we are so preoccupied with our religious ideologies, teachings, doctrines and principles that we fail to understand that what really matters most in life is a personal, intimate, daily, talking-and- listening relationship with God.

Matthew 6:33 – But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

I am just an ordinary person trying to find my way in this jungle of a world who bumped into an extraordinary person who calls himself Jesus and my life has been changed forever. As I learn about this man named Jesus, I have learned that He is the Truth and the Way. As I pursue him and His truth, my life has taken on new meaning and purpose. As I learn about his ways through the reading of his word in the Holy Bible, I have learned that He is the Word. Not only is He the Word, but He was also with God and is God in the Beginning. He is the Creator of the universe. How He created this world is still a mystery to me, but I believe He did it. I believe everything He says, has said and has done. He is incredible, awesome. majestic, etc. etc. Words do not come close to describing him and his story that is told in the Holy Bible. I feel that there is so much more to know about Jesus, and I feel that I will never stop learning about his mysteries.

John 14:6 – I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

As we live our lives here on earth going from one day to another, we hear, see, and feel a lot of condemnation. Seems like today’s world is very condemning and not very forgiving. But there is good news in Jesus. He does not condemn us………Ever! Jesus loves everyone unconditionally with amazing grace always. Even if we don’t believe in Him, He believes in us. He never rejects us; we reject Him and when we reject Him, we reject eternal life in his Kingdom. We are the problem, not Jesus. We need to answer the door when He knocks and welcome Him in and begin the greatest journey this life has to offer.

Revelation 3:20 – Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

The Holy Bible opens up with the words “In the Beginning, God…” The Bible doesn’t argue for God’s existence. It simply assumes it. John 1:1 speaks the following words, “In the Beginning was the Word(Jesus) , and the Word(Jesus) was with God, and the Word(Jesus) was God. Thus God and Jesus was always there “in the Beginning.” Before man existed, God acted. Thus God is the initiator of everything. The creator God of the universe brings everything into being and it is good. There was no conflict, no destruction, no disease, no pollution. There was unity, wholeness and harmony Everything was the way God intended it to be. It was into this world that humanity was born. This was the world God made for us.

Genesis 1:27 – So God created man in his own image, in this image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Correction is defined in the dictionary as putting something right or to put right a fault. Criticism is defined as disapproval of someone, or something based in perceived faults or mistakes. So, the big question here is ……what is God in the business of … correcting or criticizing. Disapproval or putting something right. In the Holy Bible Proverbs 15: 31-33 says, “Whoever heeds life giving instruction correction will be at home among the wise”. Although many believe criticism and correction are interchangeable, it’s my opinion that criticism does little good. I am of the school of thought that criticism can make a person angry and tear down his or her self- esteem. I am not a Bible expert, but I never read where Jesus tore down a person’s self-esteem. He did some correcting in his time, but it was always positive. He was and is the most positive, forgiving and loving person that has ever walked on this earth. He desires that everyone choses to believe in Him. He offers everyone unconditional love and grace. He meets you right where you are at this moment. His word is the Truth, and his desires are Holy. All we have to do is open the door when He knocks.

Revelation 3:20 – Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with that person and they with Me.