I want to tell you about a gift.  A gift that is often left unopened.   Imagine that you select a gift for a friend and wrap it, then ask your friend to stop by and pick it up.  But your friend never stops by to see you and pick up the gift.  Or they do stop by but they leave and there sits the gift wrapped and waiting for them on the table.  This may seem far fetched but it happens to God every day.  He has a wonderful gift and everybody needs it yet people leave it wrapped and waiting with their name on the tag.
     The gift I am talking about is Gods' love and forgiveness.   God offers His love and forgiveness to everyone but not everyone will experience them. 
     We don't have to look at our lives very long before we see that we need forgiveness.  The Bible says "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Rom 3:23 NIV)  Anytime we disobey Gods' commands, intentional or not, we become separated from God, because we have pushed Him away.  "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 6:23 NIV) 
To be reunited with God we need His forgiveness.

But I thought God forgives and loves everyone?

Yes but God also respects you and your choices.  God never barges into your life uninvited.  The Jesus said  "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." (Rev 3:20 NIV)  God wants to love us but He will allow us to make our own choices.  If we choose to reject or ignore God then we suffer the results of that choice.  On the other hand if we choose to invite Jesus into our lives then we enjoy all of Gods' love and forgiveness.

My life seems empty and meaningless?

That is the point, without Jesus in our lives we are only experiencing part of what life has to offer us, usually the bad parts.  To truly find purpose, meaning and joy in life we have to have a right relationship with God.  When God created us He designed us to be in relationship with Him.  Without Him to guide us we are like a car without a steering wheel, we can go as fast as we want but we will wind up a wreak.  If we ask God to direct us we will experience life on a new level.  Life that is full of meaning, purpose and Joy.  Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV)

But God can't forgive me.

Many People think that they are to sinful for God to forgive, or that they need to get their life straightened out before they come to Him.  There is only one sin that God can not forgive and that is the sin of not asking for forgiveness.  The Bible says "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."(1 John 1:9 NIV)  If you ask and mean it in your heart then He forgives.  Since God is the only one who can truly straighten out our lives we should not put it off until we think we are good enough for God.  The Bible says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph 2:8&9 NIV)  God is the one that changes our lives and not us, all we do is ask.

What is repentance?

Repentance is connected with asking for forgiveness.  Repentance is when we decide to quit doing things our way and start doing them Gods' way.  Repentance is not feeling sorry, or guilty, repentance is a decision to change the direction of our life. 

So how do I ask Jesus into my life?

All you have to do is say a simple prayer like this one.
"Dear Jesus, I know that I need you in my life and I need your forgiveness.  Please forgive me and come into my life today.  I want to start living my life the way you want me to.  Please guide me and show me how to live.  Thank you for forgiving me.  In Jesus Name Amen.

If you have prayed a prayer like this and meant it with your whole heart then you are forgiven and Jesus is now a part of your life.  God has some wonderful things in store for you.  We welcome you to Gods' family.

What now?

The most important thing you can do now is to find a local church.  Look for a church that uses the Bible, for teaching.  You need a church were you feel comfortable, build friendships and can grow as a Christian.  When you need a friend or so kind of help they will be there for you, and you can be there for them as well.  Contact us or a Christian person you know and we will help you find a church in your area.
I also urge you to start reading the Bible.  The best place to start reading is with the Gospel of John.  You can look it up in the index.  John has more of the words Jesus spoke than any other book and it will teach you more about Jesus.   

"May God bless you in your new life, guiding you and protecting you as you follow Him."