8/14/2019 Statement of Faith 11-12-08

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WINDERMERE MINISTRIESGLOBAL MISSIONS

Statement of Faith

The Bible clearly teaches that God wants to have a personal relationship with each of us. However, we have a problem. The Bible

says that we are not righteous: There is no one righteous, not even one(Romans 3:10), and it also says that we have sinned: for alhave sinned and fall short of the glory of God(Romans 3:23). Sin has separated us from God and as a result we cannot, on our ownhave a personal relationship with God. When we speak about a personal relationship with God, we are not talking about a religion bua relationship.* It is not about being a Protestant, or a Catholic, or Baptist, or even a church member. It is not about a religion, buabout a relationship, a personal relationship with God. A personal relationship with God is something that we can only have on Godsterms, not ours. The good news is, God not only wants a personal relationship with us, but He has provided a way through which wecan receive forgiveness of our sins, be saved from the consequences of our sins, and gain eternal life with Him in Heaven---all this isoffered as a free gift to us by His grace. We can receive this gift through faith by merely believing in Gods Son, Jesus Christ, as ourSavior. The Bible says: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God---notby works, so that no one can boast(Ephesians 2:8, 9). And That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believes in yourheart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is withyour mouth that you confess and are saved.(Romans 10:9, 10)

Many people have the concept that to gain God's favor they need to demonstrate to Him how good they are and that they need to bevery religious and have done some exceptionally good deeds in order to earn His approval to gain eternal life. This is totally contrary to

God's free offer of eternal life through Jesus Christ as a free gift as presented in the Holy Bible.

If you understand this and recognize that it is not a religion that justifies you before God, but His grace through faith in Jesus Christ, andif you dont remember ever receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior through faith by merely believing, you can do that right now by sayinga prayer like the one below. It is really not the exact words that count in a prayer like this but the sincerity you have in your heart to acon faith to believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior. If you are not sure about your relationship with God but want to have a personarelationship with Him and receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, you can do so right now through faith by merely believing in Jesus Chrisand expressing this by saying the following prayer. If you would like to do that, then right now place your faith in Jesus Christ andreceive Him as your Savior, and confirm that by praying this prayer by faith to God:

Dear God in heaven, I need you. Thank you for your love and for giving Jesus Christ, your one and only Son. I believe in myheart that Jesus died on the cross for my sins, and that you raised Him from the dead. I confess with my mouth--Jesus isLord. I repent of my sins, and through faith receive your free gift of eternal life. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and my SaviorTake control of my life and make me the person you want me to be. I pray this in Jesus Holy name. Amen.

When we place our faith in Jesus Christ and pray a prayer like this-- we have received Jesus Christ as our Savior; God has forgiven oursins; and God has given us eternal life. This is Gods promise to us! We then have a personal relationship with God. God wants tharelationship to become closer and more intimate each day. To do this we need to pray to God daily thanking Him for His blessings andasking Him for His wisdom and direction in our lives. We need to read the Bible regularly and attend a good Bible teaching churchAnd most of all, we need to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and we need to love our neighbor as ourselves. Godloves us so much! He wants the best for us and He wants us to experience love, joy, and peace in our lives, and be fulfilled in life.

If you have any questions regarding this statement of faith, please feel free to contact Ray Berryman, Missions Pastor at WindermereMinistries (407-489-1332) or rberryman@windermereministries.com).

I have read and understand the statement above. I attest that I have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord.

Signature______________________________________________ Date__________________

Print Name ____________________________________________

*A relationshipwith God is vastly different from a religion. There are many religions, but only one relationship. A relationship withGod is the position we have with God by being a member of His family through being born again in the Spirit through faith in JesusChrist, and arelationship with God is a free gift which we receive by Gods grace through faith. Religions, on the other hand, areorganized groups that have developed doctrines and rules that they want their members to follow in the worship of God. We join areligion to fellowship with others to worship God, and this is a good thing. However, we can be a member of a religion without evehaving a genuine personal relationship with God. Unfortunately, there are many people who are religious who have never receivedGods gift of salvation, but have been led to believe that they can earn salvation and eternal life by their religious loyalty and theirmany good works. The Bible is very clear in declaring that salvation cannot be earned by good works, but it is a free gift from Godas a result of Gods grace, because of the all inclusive good work that Jesus did in paying the penalty of our sins by His death on thecross. Remember the Bible says: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith --and this not from yourselves, it is the gift ofGod--not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

11/12/08