How Can You Find Perfect Peace?
Only through FAITH can you find the perfect peace that only God offers each and every person.
F is for FORGIVENESS:
We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God's forgiveness. "In Him (Jesus) we have redemption (to be set free from the harm of sin) through His blood, (Jesus became our sacrifice when He died on the cross) the forgiveness of sins (our sins are wiped out)." Ephesians 1:7a
A is for AVAILABLE:
Forgiveness is available. God does not pick and choose who He will make forgiveness available for. It is available for ALL!!
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
The "whoever" means literally anyone and everyone. But, God's forgiveness is not automatic. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 7:21a
Something must take place in the life of a person to receive God's forgiveness and eternal life.
I is for IMPOSSIBLE:
It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven. This does not mean that God is hateful and uncaring. In John 3:16, quoted above, we see that God loves us so much that He sacrificed His only Son so that we can experience His forgiveness and eternal life. But God is a just God when it comes to dealing with sin. In Fact, James 2:13 says, "For judgment is without mercy." God declares judgment on sin. Who is sinful? EVERYONE! Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." God is perfect in every way and we are not. It is that simple. So the question is, how can a sinful person enter heaven, where God allows no sin? That brings us to T.
T is for TURN:
Turn means to Repent. God is asking you to repent, to turn from sin and selfish desires. Jesus said, "But unless you repent, you too will all perish." Luke 13:3b This means that all of those who don't repent, or turn from sin, will spend eternity separated from God. It is not enough just to turn from something. We must turn to someone - that someone is Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us, "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3b-4. Jesus did this to take care of our sin problem. But, there is something that we must do. The Bible says, "That if you confess with your mouth, the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9 Saved from what? Your sin and the result of it - separation from God.
H is for HEAVEN:
Heaven is eternal life. Eternal life beings in the here and now. Jesus said, "I have come that they might have Life and have it more abundantly." John 10:10b. It is also life in the hereafter. Jesus said, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."
John 14:3. After God raised Jesus from the dead, He received Him into heaven. That is where Jesus has been since He was resurrected. For those who leave this world by death, and have received Jesus as Savior and Lord, He receives them into heaven too - and they will stay there for all eternity!! How can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven, eternal life, and Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord? It is through a step of faith.
!! You can have ETERNAL LIFE AND A PERFECT PEACE!
FAITH stands for something else too. Forsaking All I Trust Him. That Him is Jesus. If you turn from your own way and reach out in Faith to Jesus, you will know that you are on the right road to eternal life. Remember what we said earlier, "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." That is all that you need to do to begin your own personal relationship with God. Jesus died so each and every one of us would have the opportunity to have our sins cleansed so we can enter heaven. Once you turn your life over to God, an indescribable peace will fill your soul.Have you been searching for a peace, unable to find it in worldly endeavors? Will you now turn from your sin and ask Jesus into your heart? If you will, say this prayer and mean it with all of your heart."Dear Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and that You arose from the grave. I now ask You to forgive me of my sins and to save my soul. Amen"
Do you feel that peace?? Isn't it wonderful?!! Now, you ask, what do I do next? The next step is to publicly announce your decision to follow Jesus. Going to the front of the Church during the invitation and telling the Pastor or telling family and friends, does this. It's a way of telling people that you are not ashamed of Jesus. Jesus tells us that if we are ashamed of Him, then He will be ashamed of us when He goes to God on our behalf. So, if we proclaim that we are followers of Jesus to others, Jesus will not be ashamed of us when He goes to God.
You are now part of the Family of God. That means that you are part of our Christian family. We at Trees Baptist would love to know about your decision.
E-mail us at comments@treesbaptist.org or call us at 318-375-2104. We'd love to assist you in your new spiritual journey.
E-mail us at comments@treesbaptist.org or call us at 318-375-2104. We'd love to assist you in your new spiritual journey.
If you did not pray the above prayer, but would like to know more about God and His love for you, we invite you to visit one of our services or give us a call at the above number and let us share with you what God has done in our lives and in our church.
used by permission from Northwood Baptist Church Shreveport, LA
