Sadly, most people asked that question would have to answer, "No." Sin has certainly separated us all from God and we are reminded everyday of our moral weaknesses and imperfections. To make matters worse, the Bible declares that God is perfect and those who would be acceptable to Him must also be perfect. What a predicament we're in!

The good news is that God's mercy is great! Knowing that we were in a lose/lose situation, He intervened. God sent His own Son, Jesus Christ - Himself both God and Man - into the world to rescue us from our sad predicament.

About 2,000 years ago, the eternal Son of God was born in the humble environs of a manger - God Himself lay in a trough used for the feeding of animals. He laid His glory aside in order to make salvation possible for each of us. Throughout His perfect, sinless life, Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the hungry, calmed the winds of a storm, walked upon the waves of the sea as though they were hills and, most importantly, preached the Gospel of His coming kingdom. Jesus taught us that we could know that we would be welcome in heaven if we were to die today! He said: "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 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" (John 14:1-3).

The message of the Bible is clear: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners! Jesus was eventually crucified by the Romans under Pontius Pilate. But the Bible reveals to us the wonderful truth of why He was crucified so shamefully: He was dying for you and I. When Jesus was upon the cross, every sin that you and I would ever commit - past, present and future - was placed upon Him and God the Father judged them. Jesus, God's perfect, sinless Lamb, was paying the price for our sin. He took the hit in our place. Now, our debt with God has been canceled by Christ; it's paid in full!

So what stand's between you and God today? What's left for you to do? Nothing! The work has been completely finished by Christ. All that remains is for you to accept His gracious gift of salvation, to acknowledge before God that His death was for you. Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him" (John 3:16-17).

If you feel the Lord is leading you into a relationship with Himself, you can make your peace with Him today. Pray this prayer to God in faith - privately in the quietness of your own soul - and He will hear your prayer and make a home in Heaven for you.

Pray a prayer something like this: "Heavenly Father, I acknowledge before you that I am a sinner. I have failed You many times, Lord, and I know that I am not worthy of heaven. But today I am putting my faith in the Person and work of your Son Jesus Christ. I believe that He died for my sins upon the cross, was buried and rose again. And today, Lord, please make a home in Heaven for me. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen."

If you've received Jesus as your Savior today, please write and let us rejoice with you. If you include your mailing address, we'd be happy to send along some materials that will help you get started on your spiritual journey with God.

And, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!