THE BIBLE SAYS: "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!" (Psalm 139:17-18b)

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the LORD. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" (Jeremiah 29:11)

"God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him." (1 John 4:9)

THE PROBLEM: In the beginning, Adam and Eve lived in perfect harmony with God and as the Bible puts it, things were "very good." However, Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Because of their disobedience, sin entered into the world and because of sin, humankind was separated from God. You see, God is pure and Holy and cannot be joined together with sin. It makes no difference how much or how little you've sinned, you still fall short of God's perfection.

THE BIBLE SAYS: "For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard." (Romans 3:23).

THE SOLUTION: This puts us in a bind, because God tells us in the Bible that the punishment for sin is death-not just physical death, but a spiritual death which will cause separation from God and His kingdom for eternity.

The good news is that God wants you to spend eternity in heaven with Him. 2,000 years ago God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to come to this earth and die on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin.

THE BIBLE SAYS: "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." (John 3:16)

In other words, even though you are separated from God because of your sin, God made a way for you to come back to Him. And, He is offering this salvation to you as a free gift. All you have to do is receive it.

How do you receive this gift?

1. Admit your spiritual need, "I am a sinner."

2. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross to take away your sins.

3. Repent. In other words, be willing to turn from your sin.

4. Receive, through prayer, Jesus Christ into your heart and life.

Pray: Dear Lord Jesus,

I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my personal Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Free Gift: If you have just prayed this prayer, we would like to send you a special Free Gift, The Gospel of John! To receive your free copy of the New Living Translation's paperback edition of the Gospel of John, simply send us your name and mailing address by . Welcome to the family of God!