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Dear Friend, Is the terminology on my
site confusing to you? Would you
like to know more about what being a Christian means?
Do you have questions about where you’ll go when you die? If
you answered "yes" to any of these questions, read on. Becoming a Christian, that
is, accepting Jesus Christ into my heart and life, making Him my Lord, Savior,
Father and Master was the best decision I ever made.
I pray that you, dear friend, will also make the decision to spend the
rest of your life resting in the love of Jesus.
He is truly the joy of living. In
Him you'll find a peace that passes everything you could ever understand.
Please take a moment to read on ... and remember, you're in my prayers! A question.
Do you know where you're going when you die?
Perhaps you think your life is fine the way it is.
Maybe you're wondering if there's a better way.
Perhaps you've lost all hope, and your life is full of emptiness.
But GUESS WHAT???
There is good news for you.
There is a message for you -
A message of hope.
And grace.
This message has transformed countless lives.
This message is from Jesus Christ.
Are you interested in accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?
I can honestly say, it will be the greatest decision you've ever made.
Read on.
If you've never accepted Jesus, there is good news. There is a way to make sure you spend eternity in Heaven.
It dosen't matter who you are or what you've done.
Jesus loves YOU.
He loves you so much that He died a horrible death so you can have eternal life.
And then He rose from the dead to prove His love.
God loves YOU.
God will forgive YOU.
You can have a better life.
Think for a moment.
Whats your greatest treasure?
Family? Job? Car? Hobbies? Bank account?
What about .... Your soul?
Our number one priority should be to see to our soul's salvation.
The Bible asks the question: What does a man profit if he gains the whole world, and yet looses his own soul? What can a man give in exchange for his soul?
We all will die someday. "It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this, judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)
Judgment, you ask? Yes. We all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Each and every one of us. And every tongue will confess to God that Jesus is Lord. People that worshipped Jesus Christ. People who didn't care. People who rejected Him. People who scorned and mocked Him.
Perhaps you've made excuses for not accepting Him: I'm a good person. Why do I need Jesus? The church is full of hypocrites. I've done too many things wrong. Jesus dosen't want someone like me. I just can't live that kind of life. Isn't going to church enough? I've got to get some things fixed before I get saved. I just wasn't born to be a Christian.
Unfortunately, there is a Bible verse to refute each one of those excuses: I'm a good person. Why do I need Jesus? Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:12 - There is no one that does good, no, not one." Isaiah 64:6 "We are as an unclean thing, all our righteousness are as filthy rags."
The church is full of hypocrites. Romans 14:12 - "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."
I've done too many things wrong. Jesus dosen't want someone like me. 1 Timothy 1:15 - "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." Matthew 9:13 - "I come not to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance."
I just can't live that kind of life. Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
Isn't going to church enough? Titus 3:5 - "Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy He saved us." Ephesians 2:8, 9 - "For by grace you are saved through faith...it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast."
I've got to get some things fixed before I get saved. Proverbs 27:1 - "Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." 2 Corinthians 6:2 - "Now is the day of salvation." 1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [sins]."
I just wasn't born to be a Christian. Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:12 - There is no one that does good, no, not one."
The type of person you were born does not determine the destiny of your soul.
People are not born one way or the other - Christian or non or Buddhist or Catholic nor any one of the countless religions.
You must make a conscious decision to either accept or reject Jesus Christ.
You alone will determine the destiny of your soul.
What will you choose?
God is asking you a question.
He is asking you to come to Him.
To bring your failures, your sins, your problems, your fears and lay them at His feet.
He is asking you to bring yourself.
He is not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
If you've rejected Christ in the past, does that mean it is too late for you?
Absolutely not!
Jesus is waiting for you with open arms, waiting to welcome you into His kingdom where you will live forever.
Do you want to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?
It is not difficult.
The Bible teaches that you must:
1) Recognize that we are all sinners and in need of forgiveness.
2) Admit our sins to Jesus, "for if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
3) Ask Jesus to come into our hearts and lives and receive Him as our Savior.
4) Confess Jesus as Lord of your life. "That if you shall confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, then you will be saved. For it is with your heart you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9,10)
If
you are sincere and want to be ready to meet Jesus, then pray this simple prayer
from your heart:
If you prayed this prayer with a sincere heart, you are now a Child of God.
I am so happy for you!
All of heaven is rejoicing right now - yes, for YOU!
You may be asking, "Now what?"
I've just made this decision, and what do I do now?
Well, the Bible says that after you are saved, you must be baptized.
Why, you ask?
In Acts 2:38 after Peter spoke, he was asked by the crowd "what should we do?" Peter replied, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Now notice something:
You already have the first one down ... You have repented of your sins and asked Jesus into your heart!
Now it is time to get baptized.
In being baptized, you are proclaiming to everyone that you have made the decision to follow Christ.
Baptism is the reenactment of going down into the grave (going into the water) with Jesus (when He died for you) and rising again, cleansed from sin and unrighteousness (when He rose from the dead) (coming out of the water). Colossians 2:12 says, "Buried with him in baptism, wherein you also are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
Baptism symbolizes that you are identified with Christ and the family of God.
Most any Christian church would be happy to baptize you and help you proclaim your salvation.
Another thing you do would be to start reading a Bible.
God's Word supplies all of the nutrients for your healthy growth as a Believer.
But there is one condition required for growth and fruitfulness:
We must give God's Word a prominent place in our lives.
Now don't get me wrong: this dosen't mean to carry your open Bible everywhere you go - to school, to the office, to the shop, the restaurant, or to work.
Instead, set time aside every day to read the Bible, and study God's Word.
Through memorization we can carry the Bible in our hearts and in our thoughts all day long.
The Word of God can shape our thinking and the way we behave.
Lastly, finding a church.
Being with and worshipping with other believers is also a key to your spiritual walk.
Start visiting and find the right church for you.
Wow.
Today you've come with me on a journey.
But the journey isn't over.
What will you do with your one, precious life, dear friend?
For your journey has only begun.
Written for you by Terra. If you have decided to follow Christ, would you please write me a note and let me know so I may continue to pray for you personally? Or you can write and ask me any questions you have.
© December 2004 Terra Mandrell
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