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Receive
Christ Into Your Heart
Do you feel good when you know you've made a good decision? There is a sense of
satisfaction and confidence that can give you a boost.
Will you make the best, most important decision you'll ever make in your life…Will
you ask Jesus into your heart? When you take this step, you will have a sense
of satisfaction and confidence like no other you've ever experienced.
God loves you
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." –John
3:16 NIV
Can you imagine willingly sacrificing your child – your one and only child
– for people who don’t even know you? That is exactly what God did
for us. He sent his son, Jesus, to come live on earth and suffer a horrible death
so that we can live a life that will last forever, beyond our own death. God loves
you so much and he wants to give you a life of hope and blessings if only you
believe in him.
We are each sinners
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans
3:23 NIV
Ever think "he is such a hypocrite" or say of yourself "I am only
human"? We all make mistakes. We are all sinners. We often feel we are not
good enough for God and separate ourselves from his love.
Sin comes with consequences
"For the wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23 NIV
When someone commits a crime, they are responsible to pay the penalties associated
with their crime. The same is true for sinners. The penalty for sin is eternal
death in hell and separation from God.
Christ paid for your sins
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 NIV
Jesus, Son of God, is the only person to have lived a life without sin. When He
died on the cross, He took our sins with Him. He paid the price for our sins so
we that we can spend eternity in heaven.
Salvation is a free gift to you
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not
from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
Some think that being "a good man" or being "a giving woman"
or going to church will reserve a place in heaven. It is not through the things
you do because we cannot "earn" our way into heaven. Instead, God gives
you salvation as a free gift – all you have to do is believe in Jesus Christ,
ask him for forgiveness of your sins, and receive the life in Christ that is awaiting
you.
You must receive Christ into your life
"Yet to all who receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave
the right to become children of God." John 1:12 NIV
When you receive Christ into your life, you become a member of the family
of God. God has no grandchildren. You are his child.
How do I receive Christ?
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and
pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven
and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." II Chronicles
7:14 NIV
Pray the simple prayer below. Prayer is simple communication with our Savior. You must acknowledge that you are a sinner and must
be willing to turn from sin and allow God to change your life. By believing that
Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the grave, you can invite Him to
come into your heart. Let Him take control of your life as your Savior.
Pray this prayer to receive Christ into your life:
Dear Jesus,
I am a sinner and need you in my life. Please forgive me of my sins. I believe
that You died on the cross and rose from the grave. Please come into my heart
and life. Thank you for helping me turn from my sins and follow you.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Why
Pray?
Prayer is simple communication with our Savior.
In what we call the "Sermon on the Mount" found in Matthew 5-7, Jesus teaches us
how to pray and what to pray in Matthew 6:5-15, stating in verse 12 (NIV), "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." The Greek
translation for the word "debt" means "offense or sin". He goes on to explain
in verses 14-15, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins,
your Father will not forgive your sins."
What now?
If you received Jesus into your heart, you are now part of the family
of God! The following will help you deepen your relationship with Christ:
1. Prayer is simply talking to God. Take time to pray every day. It doesn’t
matter where you are or what you are doing, God hears you.
2. Reading the Bible is God’s way of teaching you about Him. Read the Bible
everyday to learn about Jesus and the way to live for Him. Perhaps start
with the book of John.
3. An important part of helping your relationship with Christ grow is to tell
others about Him. Demonstrate God’s love and be active in telling others
about Jesus.
4. Surrounding yourself with other Christians will help your faith grow. Find
a church that teaches the Bible and become active in worship, service and fellowship
with other Christians.
We would like to pray for you. Please contact us and let us know that you
have received Christ's forgiveness of sins.
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