The famous French philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote, "There is a vacuum in the heart of every person that cannot be filled by any created thing."

Because we live with this God-shaped vacuum, we go through life largely without meaning, without fulfillment, without satisfaction, without a lasting joy. We live below our potential and, many times, move from one unsatisfying relationship to the next.

If this describes your life today, we have good news for you!

If you have ever said to yourself, "There has to be more than this to life," you are absolutely right. There is more, much more. Jesus said I have come to give you life and life more abundantly. Deep in the heart of every man is the desire to come home to the Father who created you and loves you.

If you want something more from this life we indeed have very good news for you.

According to the biblical account of the prodigal son, the Father was waiting for His rebellious son to return. That is a perfect picture of how our heavenly Father waits for us to yield to His love for us. His love is so deep and so strong that it cannot be comprehended. Allow yourself to be baptized into unbounded gentleness. Consistent and ever-faithful mercy. Tenderness which is relentless and constantly-pursuing. Lavish, extravagant and unrestrained kindness. This is God's love for you.

A love which is passionate in the purest sense of the word. A love which has no limits, a love which is totally unselfish, a love beyond your wildest dreams.

God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice. We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God.

The Bible says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23 (NIV)

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23 (NIV)

People have tried in so many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God. But again, the Bible says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." - Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." - Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)

There is nothing we can do to bridge this gap. Man has tried all manners of fruitless methods and myths, and the result has been even greater frustration at our plight.

So here is the good news!

Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.

The Bible says, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." - 1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." - 1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 (NIV)

God has provided the only way. But each of us must make our own choice. We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.

The Bible says, "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)

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." -John 1:12 (NIV)

"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." - Romans 10:9 (NIV)

What choice will you make today? Will you yield to the love of God for you? Will you make a decision today that will cause you to live a life of meaning and significance? Will you choose to fill the God-shaped vacuum in your heart?

Here is how you can receive Christ:

Simply pray the words you see in the parentheses.
1. Admit your need (I am a sinner and I need a savior).
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (I am willing to repent of sinful destructive ways).
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave. (Thank you Lord for paying for my sins on the cross so that I may live forgiven).
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (I acknowledge you Lord Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. Today, Lord, I want you in my life, leading me and guiding me. Touch me Lord and make me new. In Jesus' name, Amen).

If you prayed that prayer, the Lord has saved you from an eternity separated from Him and brought you into a loving relationship with Him.

Here are a few things you can do right away:

If you prayed this prayer for the first time, we would love to meet you. If you don't live close, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at church@southalnds.net.