thompson



The Face That Can Change Your Life

Hey, that guy looks familiar!

You’re right, that’s not me in the picture. It’s my best friend. My name is Mike Thompson, and I want to let you know about something very important I’ve discovered. Don’t worry, it’s not a multi-level marketing plan or some religious thing. I’m not shoving anything down your throat. I won’t even know who you are unless you e-mail me for more information. Read on and find out.

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• First, what are your spiritual beliefs? Do you go to church anywhere?
• To you, who is Jesus Christ?
• Do you believe in heaven or hell?
• If you died right now, where would you go?
• And here is the key one: If what you are believing is not true, would you want to know?

• for *all* have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23, NIV)
• For the wages of sin is death (hell), but the gift of God is eternal life *in* Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23, NIV)
• In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (John 3:3, NIV)
• Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. *No-one* comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6, NIV)
• But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8, NIV)
• 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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9, 10, NIV)
• 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. (Ephesians 2:8,9, NIV)
• And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11-12, NIV)
• Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20, NIV).

You are responding to this information, whether you think you are or not. By putting off a decision, you make a decision against the most satisfying relationship in your life. So here’s the deal. Knowing Jesus personally is not only possible, it’s by far the most satisfying relationship in your life. It makes everything else better. I’m not talking about religion or church or stuff. I’m not a religious person. Jesus came to do away with all that stuff, by making it possible for us to have a relationship with him personally, rather than through organizations or institutions or any kind of go-betweens.

All you need to do is talk to him and let him in. You saw the invitation in the last verse I quoted above. He is knocking. Will you open the door? Say something along these lines, “Jesus, I know I have made a mess of my life. I can’t make it right on my own and I need some help. I realize now that you are the only one who can help me and you have promised to do it any time I ask. I’m asking now. Jesus, please come in and take control of my life and let’s begin that most satisfying of relationships. I’m sorry for all the wrong I have done and all the hurt I have caused. Please come in and make my life better.”

Now, did I say Jesus had done away with religion and institutions and stuff? Yes, I did. However, you still need some support and teaching to do this right. Jesus described the church as his body. Each part relates directly to him, the head, but we all work together and help each other out. You need to find a group of people who have made a commitment similar to yours who can join together with you as you help each other understand and live this life better and better.

I know of people like that and I will help you find some if you like. Otherwise, look for a church or a group of Christians that places a high value on the Bible and centers their focus on Jesus himself, rather than on their traditions or experiences or pet doctrines or their denomination. I’ll be praying for you.