Before He created anything, God (God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit all rolled up into one God) had an idea in mind called "Man". He had to create a plan whereby He could get people to deliberately choose to love Him. He didn't want mankind to be robots, forced to love Him, so He created people with the power to choose Good or Bad, Love or Hate, Purity or Filth, Right or Wrong, Life or Death. At the same time, because He is completely pure and no evil can be in His presence, He knew He couldn't allow sinful people to be with Him throughout eternity in their sinful condition, so He asked His own Son to make a once and for all sacrifice on the people's behalf by dying in place of anyone who would choose to love Him. Although the Father didn't require it of Him, Jesus Christ laid aside His divinity and came to earth in the form of a human infant. He grew up, became a carpenter, then a rabbi. Being the Son of God, he is the only person in human history to have never once committed a sin. He spent the last 3 years of His human life teaching people about the love of God, how to live a life pleasing to God, and how to lead others to know God's love also. The Jewish religious leaders were jealous of Jesus' charisma and teachings, so they plotted to put Him to death. Jesus was crucified just before the Passover holiday, which was God's way of fulfilling the scriptures that

told of a Savior who would be the Passover lamb sacrifice. At the moment of His death there were several frightening phenomena, such as the sky turning dark in midday, earthquakes, and dead people coming back to life. Jesus was buried, but rose from the dead 3 days after His execution. He spent about 40 days appearing to His followers, before ascending into Heaven. The Bible says that someday He'll return to earth the way He left, out of the sky, through the clouds. According to Scripture, Jesus is sitting next to God the Father, praying for Christians and being their legal advocate, while Satan accuses them. At the same time, the three-in-one God is present with each believer. The Bible calls Him our Father, our Brother, our Friend, our Saviour, our Creator, our King, our Comforter, our Teacher, the Prince of Peace, and many, many more titles.

If you have never actually invited Jesus Christ to come into your life, it's very easy to do, and there's no time like the present. Just get in a quiet place, acknowledge to God that you're a sinner -- you've broken God's laws, and you need His forgiveness. He'll forgive your sins and cleanse your heart. The Bible says He'll wash you as white as snow! Invite Jesus to come live in your heart and change you. Turn over control of your life to Him, and in return you will have a peace in your heart that passes all understanding, God's forgiveness, and eternal life. You will be an adopted Child of the King! Then, when you leave this life, you'll take up residence in Heaven... forever! For some thoughts about what Heaven might be like, click here, though the bible says that no one can think or imagine what He has prepared for those who love Him.

If you're shy about praying to God, and don't know what to say, you can just pray something along these lines: "God, I realize I've made a mess of my life. I am a sinner, and I need a Savior. Jesus, please come into my heart and clean me up and change my life. Help me to live for You. In Jesus' name, amen." You are now clean and forgiven! You might not feel any different, but you can count on God to keep His promise to forgive your sins and make you clean. You are now what Christians call 'Saved' (from Hell, eternal darkness and separation from God), and you're now part of the Family of God! The Bible says that the angels in Heaven rejoice when one person comes into the Family! Mark down somewhere (like in a Bible or on a calendar) the date that you got saved. This date will be important to you later. You will notice some changes happening. You'll feel lighter, knowing your sins are forgiven. You'll find yourself responding to troubles more peacefully, and you'll be more forgiving to others. This is because God's Holy Spirit is now with you. God's enemy, Satan, or the devil, might try to put thoughts in your head that there is no God, or that you're too bad to be forgiven, etc. It won't sound evil... it will just sound like you thinking. If this happens, just remember the date of your salvation, and thank God that you became His child on "November 5th, 2006" or whatever the date is. If you have any doubts about your experience with God, you can pray a prayer like the above prayer again, then trust that what God says is true, even if you don't feel different. If nothing seems to happen, don't worry-- we assure you, God is working in you. Sometimes changes happen slowly, sometimes in an instant. He works out His purpose in His time and in His way.

After you give your heart to the Lord, start reading the Bible -- it's God's instruction manual on how to live a life pleasing to Him, and how to help others find Him. Worship Him daily. Worship happens when you tell God of your love for Him in words or songs (You can make up your own songs!). And thank Him for Who He is, not just what He's done for you. Pray often (you don't have to be formal with God -- just talk to Him as you would a close friend or family member), make your requests to him as a child would a loving father, and tell others what God has done for you. Find a church whose style fits you, that teaches that Jesus is the Son of God and the Bible is the true, inspired Word of God. Church is a great place to find friends and others who can encourage you and help you grow as a Christian. But remember- Christian people are not at all perfect, they've just asked for and received forgiveness.

If you have just given yourself to God, tell someone, who will rejoice with you. (Email us -- we would love to rejoice with you.) That's it, you're a Christian! The Christian life is a full and rich life. It doesn't mean you'll be free of problems, but it means you have a new way to handle the joys and sorrows of life, and you have a Friend that 'sticks closer than a brother'. And remember, you have access to the ear, the arms, and the very heart of God, any time, any place, without filling out an application, without paying a fee, without being on a waiting list, and without getting someone's permission! Once you're saved and enjoying your new life, that's not the end of the story! God has plans for you for the rest of your life. When you get up each morning, dedicate your day to Him, then stand back and expect Him to communicate with you, use you to help others, teach you things from the Bible, etc.

You might be wondering if you mess up and sin, does that mean you're no longer saved? According to the Word of God, when you realize what you've done wrong, if you repent and ask the Lord to forgive you, He will help you change. The Christian life includes frequent repentence. Christians face temptations like everybody else. But if they repent, God forgives them. Keep short accounts with God: you can always ask His forgiveness. He's not like people -- He doesn't say "I'll love you as long as you please Me." He's not off pouting because you did something wrong; He's right there with you, quicker than a heartbeat to forgive and comfort you. There is absolutely *no* thing a person could say or do in this life that God cannot forgive. Even Judas Iscariot *could have* repented, and God would have found another way to fulfill prophecy. As long as there's life in your body, you can call out to Him and He'll hear you. He doesn't meet you halfway -- He meets you 99.999% of the way! Now do a Google search for web sites that can build you up in God, that pertain to Jesus Christ and all facets of Christianity. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great life, and a fabulous afterlife!