Here’s something to ponder…

           In God’s written words to all of us (The Holy Bible), Jesus said
           (about himself):
          
           “...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have
            it more abundantly.”    (St. John 10:10b…The word “they” means: 
           whoever wants it, or YOU!)

          The Bible also says:

          “...we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
            (Romans 5:1)
 

      Since God planned for us to have peace and abundant life right now,
      why are most people not having this experience?

         Since God created us in His own image, and since he also wants us to
         have an abundant (meaningful) life...He did not make us like “robots”
         to automatically love and obey him, but instead, he gave us our own will
         and freedom of choice.  Unfortunately, we’ve all initially made the
         wrong choice.

         We’ve chosen to disobey and reject God and go our own willful way. 
         What  a really bad idea!  This choice is known as: sin…plain and simple.

          “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
            (Romans 3:23)

          “...your iniquities have separated between you and your God,
           and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
           (Isaiah 59:2)
 

       On our own, or by what we try to do, there’s really no way we can
       attain the perfection that is needed to bridge the gap between us
       and God.  Through the ages, people have tried many ways...without
       success.

       "Good works" won’t do it...our money won’t do it...our “morality”
       won’t do it...our philosophy won’t do it... EVEN  OUR  RELIGION
       WON’T  DO  IT!

           God says:
          “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end
           thereof are the ways of death.”   (Proverbs 14:12)

          Since it’s true that things like “good works”, money, religion
          or things that seem right won’t “cut it”…what possible hope
          do we have to “get right” with God?

         Perhaps you’ve never been taught, or you’ve never read about
         the fact that…

         Because Jesus loves us so much, he specifically died on a wooden
         cross for us.  In other words... He was our substitute for the payment
         that is due, to God, of our sins. He took our place!  Then, three days
         later, he rose from the grave, assuring us victory over eternal death
         by (himself) being the complete payment sacrifice for our sin and
         bridged the gap between God and us. 

          God also said:

          “For Christ (Jesus - The Messiah) also hath once suffered for sins,
           the just (that's Jesus) for the unjust (that's all of us), that he might
           bring us to God...”   (I Peter 3:18)

          “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men,
           the man Christ Jesus;” (I Timothy 2:5)

          “But God commendeth (showed) his love toward us, in that, while
          we were yet sinners, Christ (that's Jesus) died for us.  (Romans 5:8)
 
 

    God Wants A Response From Us:

         Believing, in faith, means trust and commitment.  By acknowledging
         our sinfulness, trusting in the forgiveness of Jesus, and letting Him
         control our life… eternal and abundant life is a FREE GIFT for anyone
         to receive.  And yes, anyone... means you!
 

         Here are two very “eye-opening” texts, directly from God, as written
         in the Bible, and spoken by Jesus himself:

        
         “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotton
          (one and only) Son (Jesus, speaking about himself), that whosoever
          believeth in him (Jesus) should not perish, but  have everlasting life." 
          (St. John 3:16)

          "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and
          believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall
          not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

         (The words of Jesus, talking about himself and his father, God... as
           recorded in St. John 5:24.)

   Don’t Keep Thinking The Wrong Thoughts:

    Many people make one, or more, of these fatal mistakes by thinking that…

      …because they were born into a “Christian” family, that they are a
          Christian as well.

      …because they were baptized at an early age, they are now a Christian.

      …because they attend a certain kind of church, they must be a Christian.

      …because they give to charity organizations, they must be a Christian.
 

     Or Worse Yet…

       They think that they aren’t bad people – especially when compared to
       the person “next door” or even to some really bad person or well-known
       “mass murderer”.

       Lots of people think that receiving Jesus into their life is a very
       complicated chain of events, that involves a never ending, and ongoing
       stream of jumping through “hoops” to get God to accept them and let
       them into heaven someday.

      It is, however, the kind of thinking that keeps people from making a
      positive decision to accept the FREE GIFT offer of salvation, through  
      Jesus.  This FREE GIFT gives them the inner peace that they need
      (and will receive) to go through their life, here on this earth…and on into
      eternity.  The positive action of receiving Jesus into your life is as easy as
      the next four “steps”…

    Here’s How:

        1.)  You need to realize and admit your need (in other words, it's true...
               I am a sinner).
         2.)  Be truly sorry for your sins and be willing to turn away
               from them (that's called repentance).
         3.) Believe that Jesus died for you on the cross and also that He
               rose from the grave.
         4.) Through a simple prayer (talking to Jesus), invite Him to come into
              and control your life through what is known as His Holy Spirit
              (Accept Him as Lord - the ruler and deliverer of your life from sin).

    What To Pray:  (The following is a suggested prayer for you to say.)

            Dear Jesus,

              I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness from my sins.
              I’m so sorry for all of them.  I believe that you died for all of my
              sins, and I want to turn away from them.  Right now, I want to invite
              you to come into my heart and life.  With this step of faith, I want to
              trust and follow you as the Lord and Savior of my life.  Thanks for
              being faithful in hearing and honoring my humble prayer.  Amen.
 

   God’s Assurance Of Eternal Life:

          “For, whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." 
           (Romans 10:13)

    What Next?

         If you’ve just accepted Jesus into your life, this is only the beginning
         of a wonderful new life in Him.  To deepen your relationship with Him,
         you should desire to do the following:

            1.) Read the Bible regularly, in order to know Jesus better.
                  (You might want to start off by reading the books in the Bible
                    known as St. John and Romans.)

            2.) Talk to God, in prayer, every day.   It’s not so important as to
                   the words that you use when you pray to him… just be honest
                   and sincere.  He knows your thoughts, your motives, and your
                   heart.

            3.) Tell others about your new faith in Jesus.

            4.) Attend a local church, where the Bible is diligently and
                  truthfully taught/preached, so that you can mingle with
                  like-minded believers in Jesus, in order to worship and learn
                           together from His written word (the Bible).

            5.) As a representative of Jesus, in a needy world, demonstrate your
                  “new life” by showing your love and concern for others.