Virtual reality, video games, and mindless entertainment can be a welcome distraction from reality, but the satisfaction and joy they give us never seem to last long.
Life's Start
Childhood is a time of learning and discovery, but it doesn't take long to realise human nature is deeply flawed, and death is a reality that makes us question and fear the future.
Side Quests
Going against our conscience is called sin, and its destructive impact is felt in its consequences. Lying, cheating, stealing, and hurting others destroys our inner peace, and the more we engage with bad company and behaviour, the more we struggle to make the right choices.
Shifting Goal Posts
We chase things such as relationships, influence, money, sex, drugs, beauty, and power, hoping they will fix our inadequacies and distract us from our hurt. Instead, our pride and selfishness draw us away from our true purpose, resulting in emptiness and despair that can make us feel hopeless, worthless, and unredeemable.
The Turning Point
Our sins weigh us down over time, and because of sin we face death- something we know we cannot overcome on our own.
The only one who can cleanse us from our sins and give us peace and eternal life is our perfect, righteous, holy only begotten Son of God and Lord of all, Jesus Christ.
Life’s Ultimate Quest:
to know God
No matter how many achievements we tick off our bucket list, time is a resource we must use wisely if we want to progress and prosper in life. Wisdom to make the right choices only comes from the Lord, but we are separated from His presence because He is holy and cannot tolerate sin.
Our rebellion is why God stepped out of the glory of heaven to Earth in the person of Jesus Christ, so that we could be saved from death.
Born of a virgin, Mary, in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, performed miracles, forgave people of their sins, and fulfilled many prophecies in Scripture to confirm His absolute authority.
Though He was unjustifiably crucified at the Roman cross, Jesus willingly laid down His life to pay our sin with His own blood. He died, was buried, and rose to life three days later, and in doing so, proved that He is true and that He has authority over life and death.
Jesus' payment for our sins by the blood of His cross gives us the precious opportunity to make peace with the Living God and Creator of the Universe, who is one in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God never lowered His standard of perfection, but in Jesus, took on the punishment we deserve so that we can be made perfect in Christ and set free from the fear of death so we can live with Him in eternity.
The free gift of God
Many people have embarked on the quest to discover how to live forever, but the solution is in fact near to all of us in our words. Jesus is the only name under heaven by which we must be saved, and His gift is received not by our own strength or merit, but by receiving forgiveness through the mighty power of love.
The privilege and responsibility of having free will means we can either choose to embrace sin and darkness, which leads to death, or choose to embrace Jesus, who is the embodiment of love, and the only way to truth and life.
Follow the Way, the Truth, the Life
Jesus says to enter the kingdom of God, we must be born again (John 3:5). This means entrusting our life to Jesus, our Creator, and resting in His care through a personal relationship with Him that is based on respect, trust, faith, hope, and love.
No matter who you are are and what you may feel is impossible to overcome, God is love, and love is more powerful than death. God knows all, and in Him, we can find forgiveness and peace when we confess our sins in humility and repentance. Jesus has already won us the victory and paid our sin debt with His blood- all we must do is come to Him and receive Him.
Prayer is how we communicate with God. If you would like to commit your life to Jesus, who leads us to everlasting peace, joy, love, and eternal life, you can pray something like this to get started.
Dear God in Heaven,
I am sorry for my sins, and I ask for your forgiveness and mercy. I'm tired of doing things my way and I want to find my true purpose in You. I want to know Your love and peace because I trust in Your goodness.
I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose to life so I can be reconciled to You. I commit my life to You and trust in Jesus as my Lord and Saviour from this point forward.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Work in my life and guide me in all truth so I can live a life that honours You.
Thank you for your amazing love and grace!
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Put on the
Armour of God
Base
Eyes
Hair
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able
to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but
against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against
evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist
the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting
on theand theFor shoes, put on theso that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up theto stop
the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on, and take the, which is the
word of God- the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers
for all believers everywhere...”
Ephesians 6:10-20 (NLT)
Ephesians 6:10-20 (NLT)