Emmanuel: God With Us

According to the Bible, you can have a personal relationship with God: there is no need for religion and priests and middle people to connect you with God: you can go directly to God by yourself.

Jesus spoke about the religious leaders of his time. What he said is as true today as it was two thousand years ago.

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
(Matthew 23:4-12 KJV)

The Bible says that the priesthood has been done away with and that Jesus is the High Priest, author and finisher of our faith who lives forever to make intercession for us.

There is no more need for sacrifice for he is the lamb of God who has offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins: we are washed of our sins by his blood which was spilt on the cross and raised with him in newness of life.

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
(Hebrews 7:26-28 KJV)

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
(Ephesians 1:7 KJV)

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(Ephesians 2:5-9 KJV)

We have now been brought into fellowship with God and indwelled with the Holy Spirit of promise who gives us understanding of God's will, teaches us about Jesus and interprets the Bible for us. Emmanuel in Hebrew means God is with us. Emanu means with us and El means God. God is literally with us. Jesus spoke of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
(John 16:13-16 KJV)

The Bible is unclear to those who are not indwelled by the Holy Spirit because he is the one who gives us understanding. It is almost impossible to believe everything the Bible says unless the Holy Spirit lives in you because he gives us understanding and faith: he reveals the awesomeness of God in our own lives giving us a familiar reference, increasing our faith and alligning us with the people, events and miracles of the Bible.

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(1 Corinthians 2:11-14 KJV)

Whatever your background is and whatever your religion or non-religion if you are an athiest, God is alive and ready to hear your call.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
(Jeremiah 29:13 KJV)

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
(Matthew 7:7-8 KJV)

However ridiculous and far-fetched it may sound to you, just give it a shot: Start talking with God. You can say something like: If you exist I would like to know you. Please reveal yourself to me.

Jesus said: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)

Peter said that salvation is in Jesus and that there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we can be saved. Acts 4:12

Put aside your fears, your inhibitions and your reservations. Don't worry about what people are going to say about your faith: The living God will provide you with everything that you need.

If you are Jewish and do not believe in Jesus, call out to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and ask him to reveal himself to you.

If you are Muslim and do not believe in the God of Israel, call out to God and ask him to reveal himself to you. God is love.

If you are Catholic, Greek Orthodox or any other nominal Christian denomination, call out to God and tell him that you want to know him personally.

When he comes into your life you will know it: there will be no doubt and no question.

Please look at the post "You must be born again"

In all cases, call out to God for an intimate relationship and ask for the Holy Spirit to come and dwell in your heart.

If the above direction is too much, just start communicating with God in your own personal way and keep an open mind. It is between you and God.

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
(John 4:23-24 KJV)