What do we want in life? Most people would say "hope." The security of a better tomorrow. A life without tragedy. Even before September 11th, people's answers might not have been much different, perhaps simply adding: "a sustained fulfillment that surpasses what we presently experience. "

It's as if we're designed for another type of existence altogether. One which we only glimpse in the here-and-now. The contrast is so very obvious right now. God is the one who offers that real hope. If we know Him. Through being in a relationship with Him, we can have peace in the midst of all circumstances. All circumstances. Knowing Him makes the difference. It changes our perspective on this life and gives us the hope of a better one to follow.

Another thing we most want in life is someone to care for us.
Someone who finds us valuable. Whether you have ever been convinced of it before or not, you are absolutely unique, and your life is of great significance. Especially to God.

Consider the following declarations, as billions of others have done so before you. . . .

1. You are loved by God.
The same God who created everything there is wants to have a personal relationship with you.

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body, and knit them together in my mother's womb. Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex" (Psalm 139:13-14).

"For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that anyone who believes in Him will not die but live eternally" (John 3:16).

"And this is the way to have eternal life, by knowing You, the only true God" (John 17:3).

Of course, the truth is that many people know nothing about God and often don't seem very interested. That's not so hard to understand.

2. Our sin keeps us from having a personal relationship with God.
So . . . what is sin? "Sin is knowing what is right to do and then not doing it" (James 4:17).

It's really simple. God is God. That means perfect. We are obviously not perfect. We constantly deal with sin when we do what we know we shouldn't do. And we make matters worse by the fact that we ignore, or even reject, God. God's perfection is also called God's holiness. Because God is holy He cannot accept our sin. And just in case you thought you were the one human in history who was off the sin-hook. . . . "Yes, they all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious ideal" (Romans 3:23).

We all know that stealing means punishment if caught. Consider this: Sin always gets caught. "But the trouble is that your sins have cut you off from God" (Isaiah 59:2). "And the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

Sin puts distance between us and God. Death as a result of sin means that, left to our own ways, we will be separated from God forever. Now some of you may be thinking at this point, Great, so what do I do about it? Read on. . . .

3. Through Jesus Christ you can have a personal relationship with God.
What's special about Jesus? In John 14:6 Jesus explains it like this: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can get to God the Father except through Me." Jesus is the way to knowing God.

So why did Jesus die? "He died once for the sins of all us guilty sinners, although He himself was innocent of any and all sin, so that He might bring us safely home to God" (1 Peter 3:18).

Jesus died in your place, for your sin.

Jesus is not still dead though. If we were promised eternal life through Jesus, then it only makes sense that after dying He should rise again and return to life from death. "Jesus died for our sins just as the Bible said He would . . . He was buried. . . . Three days afterward He rose from the grave just as the prophets foretold. . . . He was seen by more than 500 Christians at one time" (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

So here's what you do with this information. . . .

4. You personally respond by trusting Jesus as your Savior and your Lord. Trust is the key.
"Because of his kindness you have been saved through trusting Christ. . . . Trusting is not from yourselves, it too is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Responding is as simple as turning around. Turn from a life of selfish sin and turn to a life with God. "Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to Him so He can cleanse away your sins" (Acts 3:19).

Ultimately responding to God means receiving Jesus into your life.

"To all who received Him, He gave the right to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust Him to save them" (John 1:12).

This is what it means to receive Jesus into your life:

Turn to God from your own way of living life.

Invite Jesus to come into your life and trust Him to forgive your sin.

Allow God to direct your life. Receiving Jesus into your life is more than an emotional response and more than a simple intellectual decision you make. It means total trust in God. Choosing to surrender your way to God's way.

Self-Directed Life

Christ-Directed Life

Which circle best represents your life?

Which circle would you like to have represent your life?

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer.
Prayer is talking to God. If you want a hint, here's one:

"Lord, I know that I am separated from You because of my sin. Thanks for showing me that Jesus died in my place. I want to ask You to forgive my sin and come into my life. I ask You to take charge of all that I am and all that I do. I surrender my way of doing things to You. Thank You for the gift of knowing that I will spend eternity with You. Amen."

If you can say this prayer and mean it from your heart, that's all it takes to start your relationship with Jesus today.