If you're here chances are you're feeling spiritually dry. Perhaps contemplating leaving the Lord, or you may have already left. All you know is that you don't feel right. It may feel like the weight of the world is upon your shoulders, you are weary and troubled. You're not clear as to what went wrong, or feel confused. You may be at a crossroads hesitant to make a decision.

It is good that you realize this; with such knowledge you can seek a restored relationship. We have the assurance of His Word, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Come to Christ, confess and turn from your sin, and He will keep His promise to forgive and cleanse; see 1 John 2:1. He further promises that He will not only forgive, but He will also forget; see Romans 8:1 and Hebrews 8:12. This is your opportunity to begin life over again and to walk with the Lord in daily fellowship.

It isn't enough for us simply to be sorry because we've done wrong. Judas was very sorry because he betrayed Jesus; the Bible says he "was seized with remorse" (Matthew 27:3). But it wasn't enough, and in spite of his remorse, Jesus said Judas was "doomed to destruction" (John 17:12). He ended up committing suicide.

You see, something needs to be added to our sorrow for our sins—and that is repentance. To repent means to turn from something or to change our attitude about it—and when we truly repent of our sins, we turn from them (with God's help) and change our attitude toward them. Jesus' first recorded sermon begins with these words: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 4:17).

But something else needs to be added to our repentance—and that is faith in Jesus Christ and what He did for us. Jesus was without sin, but on the cross all our sins were placed on Him, and He took the judgment we deserved. He did for us what we could never do for ourselves, and because of Him we can be forgiven.

The most important decision you'll ever make is what you will do with Jesus. Will you ignore Him—or will you turn from your sins and trust Him alone for your salvation? God loves you; He loves you so much that He sent His only Son into the world to die for you. By faith turn your life over to Him today.

No, it isn't too late for you to get back on track—and the reason is because God still loves you, and doesn't want you to spend the rest of your life on the wrong road.

In fact, I believe He is already working in your life, making you face what you've done and giving you a desire to take another path. Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him" (John 6:44)—and that's what God is doing to you. Would He call you to Himself if He wasn't willing to forgive you and make you part of His family? Of course not.

You can't change the past; what you've done with your life can't be erased. But it can be forgiven—and with His help the future can be different! This is why I urge you to repent of your sins and ask Jesus Christ to come into your life. Why live for the devil any longer? He promises a life of freedom and happiness—but as you have discovered, his promises are lies.

Remember: You can't rely on your parents' faith; you must make your own decision for Christ. But when you do, God promises to welcome you and make you His child forever. The Bible says, "To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). Don't let another day go by without making your peace with God by asking Christ to come into your life as your Lord and Savior.

If you have sincerely given your life to Jesus and are trusting Him alone for your salvation, then God has promised to forgive you—and He cannot lie. The Bible says, "This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life" (1 John 5:11-12). That includes you! The key is to depend not on your feelings, but on facts—the fact of Jesus' death and resurrection for you, the fact of your commitment to Him, the fact of God's promise to forgive you. Feelings come and go, and they can deceive us. But the facts of God's Word don't change, and you can depend on them. Don't focus on your feelings, but focus on Jesus Christ and what He has done for you.

Imagine for a moment that you had a very wealthy relative, and one day you received a call from an attorney telling you that she had died and left you a million dollars. What would you do? You might say, "Oh well, it can't be true"—but would that be wise? Instead, you would probably accept by faith what he had told you, and then begin to act on it.

In a far greater way, Jesus Christ offered you a gift—the gift of salvation—and you have accepted it. Now act on it! Begin by thanking Him for saving and forgiving you, and then seek to live for Him every day.

If you would like to speak to someone, or have any questions, would like to know where to start, or you have a prayer request, please contact us at 201 288-4139 ext. 11.