Why we were created? We were created to honor
and serve God. Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and
honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they
are and were created.
If this is our purpose then why is man unable to do this? Mankind's problem is
sin. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Sin is breaking God's law. 1John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin
transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
What is the penalty for breaking God's laws? Death Romans 6:23 For the
wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord. The penalty is death, but God wants to give us eternal life with Him
if we accept His son as savior. Without Christ as savior then death in hell is
the only option. Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the
book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Men try to make their own way to heaven. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way
which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Titus 3:5a Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us. Going to church, getting baptized, doing
good deeds will not be enough to take us to heaven. The only way is through
what Jesus has done for us. Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of
works, lest any man should boast.
Jesus was the only one who could pay our sin debt. Romans 5:8 But God
commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us. 1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just
for the unjust, that he might bring us to God,
Jesus is the only way to heaven. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the
way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
What must you do to be saved? You need to repent of your sins and put your
trust in Jesus as the only way to heaven. Acts 3:19a Repent ye therefore,
and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 16:31a And they
said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. Romans
10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
If do this then Jesus promises eternal life. John 5:24 Verily, verily, I
say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from
death unto life.
Will you accept Jesus as savior? Here is what you must do.
1. Tell Jesus you have sinned and ask His forgiveness.
2. Believe He is the Son of God who died for you on the cross, rose from the
dead, and is Lord.
3. Call upon Jesus to be your Savior and Lord.
Prayer
Prayer is how we communicate to God our desires, hurts,
wants, and most important, our praise to Him. Psalms 5:3 My voice shalt thou
hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee,
and will look up. God hears us when we pray.
Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry
aloud: and he shall hear my voice. Not only will He hear us, but He wants to
talk to Him often.
Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye
have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig
tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou
cast into the sea; it shall be done. Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever
ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. If we are Christians then
we have great power available to us. God is all powerful, and if we ask
anything that is according to His will, He can and will do it.
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the
spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
We can also ask for help to keep us from sin.
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
We should be praying about everything and for our Christian brothers and
sisters. We need to be serious about prayer.
Phi 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. We
need not worry, but we need to pray about everything. We should pray
specifically for what we desire.
We should also be praying with thanksgiving to the Lord for what He has done
and what He will do.
Jam 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another,
that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much. We should not have sin in our lives, but we need to ask forgiveness of
those we offend, and we need to ask forgiveness of God for any sin we commit.
God would have us pray for each each, and our prayers should really be
heartfelt and sincere. God wants us to be earness and to perservere in our
praying.
The statements I have made only scratch the surface on the subject of prayer,
but the emphasis is that we need to pray and make it a very vital part of our
lives.
