My name is Jerry Lovett. You may have found this page through Web Pages for Jesus or through the personal testimony page of a fellow Christian. I don't know your story, but I can assure you that God loves you and cares about you very much. I would be happy to be your friend, to email with you, to listen to your problems, and to pray for you. I would also like to tell you more about Jesus Christ. Life only has true meaning when we know Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that life in this world is often difficult. Many people in the world are experiencing pain and suffering. Does God really love us if He allows so much suffering?
The pain that we experience in this life is the result of sin that entered the world long ago with Adam and Eve. Sin results when man chooses to do things his way instead of God's way. Sin separates man from God and prevents us from entering heaven. The Bible tells us how we can overcome this separation and be in heaven with God forever. One way that I have learned to remember what the Bible tells us about going to heaven is based on the letters in the word faith, F A I T H. Each letter reminds me of something the Bible says about going to heaven.
The letter F stands for Forgiveness. We cannot expect to have eternal life or go to heaven without God's forgiveness. The Bible tells us that, "In Him" (meaning Jesus) "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin."
The letter A stands for Available. What's available? God's forgiveness is available and it is available for all. The Bible tells us that, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God loves all of us, including you and me. But God's forgiveness is not automatic. The Bible also tells us that, "Not every one who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven". So why not? That brings us to the letter, I.
The letter I stands for Impossible. It is impossible for a holy God to allow sin into heaven. The Bible tells us that God is love. As we said earlier, "For God so loved the world...", but the Bible also tells us that God is a just God and His "judgment is without mercy". The Bible also tells us that man is sinful, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Because of our sin, you and I are separated from God. So this brings up a question, "How can a sinful person, like you and I, enter heaven where God allows no sin?" This brings us to the letter, T.
The letter T stands for Turn. The word the Bible uses for Turn is Repent. The Bible tells us that, "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Repent means to change the direction of our lives. We are to stop going in this direction and start going in a new direction. We are to turn away from sin and our own selfish ways of doing things and turn to Jesus Christ and His direction for our lives. The Bible tells us that, "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." The Bible also tells us that, "If you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved". It really is that simple. This brings us to the letter H.
The letter H stands for Heaven. Heaven is eternal life with God. The Bible speaks of heaven in two ways, heaven here, and heaven in the hereafter. When the Bible speaks of heaven here, Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." The Bible doesn't promise that we won't have problems, but it does promise that God will be with us and will help us. When the Bible speaks about heaven in the hereafter, Jesus said, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."
So, how does a person receive God's forgiveness and the assurance of eternal life in heaven. Well the letters F A I T H can also stand for, "Forsaking All, I Trust Him." We must trust Jesus with our lives and make Him the Lord of our lives and not ourselves. Also, remember that the Bible says, "If you confess with your mouth that 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved". It really is that simple.
If you have understood what I've just said and you want to receive God's forgiveness and eternal life, you need to pray to God and tell Him. Pour your heart out to God and tell Him about your sins. Ask Him to forgive you. Tell Him that you know Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that God raised Him from the dead. Ask Jesus to come into your heart to be the Lord of your life and to save your soul.
If you sincerely prayed this prayer, then you have assurance that you will go to heaven. I cannot promise that you will not have problems in this life, but I know from what God has done in my life that this is the first step toward true happiness. The Bible tells us that once we are saved, God sends His Holy Spirit to live inside us. The Holy Spirit guides us to know God's will for our lives. The God of the entire universe has a plan specifically for your life. He loves you. Knowing that God is here with me helps me to cope with the problems in this life. I feel His love inside me. I know from His sacrifice of His Son Jesus on the cross for my sins just how much God loves me. He loves you too. All of the suffering and pain you have experienced in this life is worthwhile if it leads you to find Jesus Christ. Will you give your life to Him right now? If you have any questions, email me and let me know.
I look forward to hearing from you. My family and I would love to pray for you and send you a Bible if you need one. I encourage you to find a Church where you can worship God, study His Word, serve Him, and enjoy the fellowship and encouragement of other Christians.
Most people believe that they will be saved due to their good works while on earth. This is satan's biggest deception. Do not be fooled. We are saved only because of what God has done for us, not what we can do for Him. The Bible tells us, "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."
Finally, I would not be complete without telling you that the Bible teaches us what God's judgment will be on those that reject Him. The Bible clearly teaches that eternal suffering in a place called Hell is reserved for those that die without accepting His free gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. I'm not saying this just to frighten you, but because I love you and want you to know that the Bible teaches that those that reject God's love and refuse His plan for forgiveness will be eternally separated from Him. Carefully consider your decision because it has eternal consequences. Please give your life to Him right now! Sleep peacefully tonight knowing you will spend eternity in heaven.
Your Brother in Christ,
--jerry lovett
jlovett@wpfj.org
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