At Candlewood Church, a non-denominational Omaha church, we try to get closer to God and are excited about helping others get closer to God. Below are 5 truths about God and life.

1. God Wants a Relationship With You

God’s will is good, pleasing, and perfect (Romans 12:2). If we are wise, we respond and change to God’s will – what we see reflected in the Bible. To hear God speaking to us, we must be disciplined to read the Bible, “for the word of God is alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12).

 

The Bible is not simply a collection of words for communicating ideas but is living, life-changing, and dynamic as it works in us. Through His Word, God reveals who we are and what we are not. We must not only listen to His Word, but we must also let it shape our lives.

 

All people should read the Bible because God speaks to us through the Bible, and we can hear His voice in the scriptures. Just like we must eat and drink daily to be physically healthy, we must read daily to be spiritually healthy. We read the Bible not because we always enjoy it, feel like it, or are in the mood to do it but because we need it.

 

“Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

 

We also read the Bible because we desire to have a personal relationship with God. A vibrant, growing relationship is a two way street. We can talk to Him through prayer, and He talks to us through His Word – the Bible.

2. God Deserves to be Sought About All Else

What are you living for? We desire to give ourselves what’s valuable in life. But what truly is valuable in life?

• Possessions?
• Wealth?
• Fame?
• Success?

 

Jesus says, “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” (Matthew 28:19-20).

 

Baptism symbolizes submission to Christ; in other words, a willingness to live God’s way. Accepting the gospel, that Jesus is our Lord and Savior who died on the cross for our sins and rose again from the dead so that we may live with him for eternity in heaven is the greatest revelation of the glory of God!

 

Jesus is better than all this world has to offer. We can be free in Him – we don’t have to live for money, fame or success, or the pleasures of this world. Life is found in Jesus and not in things of this world or what people think of us.

3. God Invites You to Join Him on His Mission

Our deepest need in life is for us to be forgiven so that we are not eternally separated from God. The purpose of life is to have an eternal impact on this world by the grace of God.

 

As followers of God, He uses our lives to set people free. God is with us always, working through us, and giving us an opportunity that actually matters.

 

We must understand that we are called to be a part of God’s mission. God is the only one who can save us, but He chose us to communicate truth, to persuade people to believe the gospel.

 

In order to do that, we should:

• have hearts of compassion
• be involved in people’s lives
• pray for sharing opportunities
• be a Christ-like example in our speech and conduct
• actually open our mouth to share the gospel

 

For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).

 

If we place anything else besides Christ as a central pursuit, it will ultimately lead to a life of disappointment and regret. Our eyes are fixed on living for eternity and not for this world. We need to long and want it more than anything else (Hebrews 11:13-16). What we do in life echoes into eternity.

 

Christians are people who have trusted in Christ for salvation and have chosen to follow God and be part of His mission. That means we are second – to family, friends, spouse, co-workers, cashier, waiter, and anyone else that we come into contact with.

 

It’s challenging to consider others’ needs above our own. But we must learn to put our flesh aside and “die” to ourselves. When that happens, we can be the positive influence in someone’s life, even if they can be difficult to love. We love difficult people because Christ loved us first. You are the responsible for how you respond to difficult people in difficult situations. Let’s respond as Christ has called us to, with love.

4. God Gives the Examples to Follow in Serving Others

The pathway to greatness is to humble yourself and serve others with the right motives. We can show God’s love by modeling it. We love others because He first loved us.

 

“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).

 

Let’s be devoted to others, honor them, rejoice with them, serve them, and forgive them. Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). As Christians, we seek to make God attractive to the world by showing His love.

5. God Gives Opportunities for You to Grow in Character and Joy

Trials will develop. This is not an easy life because we live in a fallen and sinful world. But trials develop endurance, the ability for us to withstand hardship and turn it to glory. The trials of life will continue to test you and will also increase what you are capable of. Remember that we can be strong in Jesus when we feel weak. We will be exposed and challenged, but that is how we will grow in our faith and learn to trust God no matter our circumstances.

 

If we aren’t joyful, we are discouraged. Bitterness is damaging and destructive in our lives. Start with being aware of God working in your life and being thankful for the little things. When we begin to enjoy life, we are encouraged. God will take care of us, there’s no need to stress or to worry. A negative attitude is a gateway to sin. People hear words, but they feel our attitude. The best model we have for a good attitude is Jesus himself.

 

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3).

 

Jesus has a selfless attitude. Let’s strive to have the same attitude as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Connect With Us Today

If you are interested in learning about about God and connecting with an Omaha church, Candlewood is an Omaha church located in the heart of the city. Please contact us at 402.991.5152 or info@candlewoodchurch.org, or if you are interested in checking out our Sunday Omaha church services, we meet every Sunday at 5051 F St. Omaha, NE 68117 offering two service times – 9:15am and 11:00am.