Got Jesus?

Do you know Jesus?

In the Bible it says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)

That means you and I! We all have sinned and "the wages of sin is death."(Romans 6:23) We are all sinners and we deserve to die and go to Hell because God is perfect and cannot be in the presence of sin.

But God loves us and wants to be with us, so he has provided a way of escape. He sent his son to die on the cross as payment for our sins! "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only begotten [born] son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Jesus, God's son, came to earth as a baby. As a human, he went through temptation, just like you and me, but remained perfect. Wow! Wouldn't you like to be perfect?

Jesus could have spent his life reading the latest best-selling scroll or watching entertainers at the marketplace. Instead, he devoted his life to saving us. He even died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice which covered all the sins we have committed and ever will commit.

But that's not it!!! On the 3rd day after he died, he rose again to life! And now he is in heaven holding out this gift of life to you and I.

Accepting it is easy. The Bible says, "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised him from the , you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

If you want Jesus to come into your heart you can pray this simple prayer (or one like it): "Dear God, I confess I am a sinner. Thank you for sending your son Jesus to earth so that I might live in heaven with you someday. I accept your gift. Help me to walk according to your will. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Did you pray it? If so, I am so glad! I would love to see you in heaven someday!

But now that you are a Christian, you can't continue to live as you did. "If anyone should come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24) If you know something is displeasing to God don't do it! In John 8:11b it says, "Go, and sin no more." This is not easy! We, being human, are weak. God knows this and promises that his "yoke is easy and his burden is light." (Matthew 11:30) He will help you. Just ask him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5)

Get a Bible and read it often! "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (II Timothy 3:16) It has oodles of helpful hints on how to start and continue your new relationship with God. I recommend the "New King James Version" as it is the least changed from God's original words, but if you have trouble understanding it try a NIV.

Go to church! Taking to other people who believe similarly to you helps you grow, because you what you have learned in your relationship with God with each other. I advise joining a Bible Church because the pastors preach directly from God's Word rather from their own insight.

Get baptized! This is a public demonstration that you have asked Jesus into your heart and are following after him. God tells us to do this in Mark 16:16, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved." The being dipped into water symbolizes your old self dieing and coming back out of the water symbolizes your "rebirth" as one of God's children.

Now, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) Other people are waiting to be saved! Wouldn't you love to see your family in heaven with you?

If you have accepted Christ as your saviour, please contact me. Also, if you have any questions about walking your Christian walk, please e-mail me with your question also.