The Message of Jesus

The Message of Jesus
Key Passage: Matthew 4:12-17

Topic: Salvation
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17, KJV)

The core message of all Jesus said can be summed up in His statement, "Turn from your sins and turn to God, because His Kingdom is near."

It was a simple but very serious command. Jesus basically told people if they wanted to know God they had to turn away from their sins. Or, to put it simply, stop doing bad things and start doing good things, stop living for yourself and live for God.

Now Jesus knows that we are all selfish people. We like to do things we want to do, things that make us happy, things that make us feel good. But Jesus tells us this is not what's best for us. What is best is to know God, to have a relationship with Him.

In order to do this, we must turn from doing bad things and turn to God. The Bible says we need to give up control of our life and give it to God. We need to live for God and not for ourselves. But we can't do it on our own. We need God's help.

So, if you want to really know God, if you want to have a relationship with Him, then start by admitting your need. Confess that you have done those things which are wrong.

Second, express your desire to turn from your old life and begin to live for God and not just for yourself. Believe in your heart and mind that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for you and was raised back to life again (Romans 10:8-9).

Next, invite Jesus to come into your heart and life and save you from your sins (receive Him as your personal Savior). Thank God for making all this possible through His Son.

That's it! It's not complicated, but God never intended for it to be. It's God desire for all to come to a saving knowledge of His Son, Jesus (2 Peter 3:9). So do it today.

Sponsoring a child

A couple weeks ago we went on the Christian Children's Fund website and sponsored a little girl named Lebasite Abby. She is 4 years old and lives in Ethiopia!

Today we got her picture and information booklet in the mail!! She is so beautiful! It feels so good to be able to help her and do this in Jesus' name! We can help a child go to school, get health care, clean water, food etc. Learning about where she lives really makes me think about the amount of food we waste a day. Or the amount of money we waste on too many toys at Christmas. We are truly blessed to live in Canada.

It really moves me that Brooke and Hannah are so compassionate about her. They immediately wanted to draw her pictures and make letters. Hannah said that they would make her feel better. We are going to send her a pretty sundress with our letters.

I ask that everyone please pray for Lebasite Abby and her family as well as her community! Maybe this is something you would like to do. It is a great feeling knowing we are helping a child :)

http://www.ccfcanada.ca/SponsorNow/

Blessings!

Lindsay