When we're young we have dreams and hopes for our future. If you're like most of us you probably woke up one day and wondered - What happened??

Sometimes life takes turns we never expected, and sometimes we make wrong choices. God calls our "wrong choices" sin. "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17)

The good news is that everyone sins! "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23)Why is this good news? Because if everyone sins, then no one is good enough to get into heaven without help.

And that's what God provided. Why? Because He loves you. Yes, you! "For God showed His love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom.5:8) "For God so loved {put YOUR name here} that He gave His only begotten Son, that if {...YOUR name} believes in Him, they will not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

God said that "...whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Rom 10:13). What does it mean to "call upon the name of the Lord"? It simply means that God wants us to come to Him and admit that we can't make it without Him. Admit that we've sinned and that we need His forgiveness. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)

Are you thinking that there's no way God could forgive you? Are you to ashamed to tell Him what's happened in your life? Don't be. God was right there with you through every bad choice, through every sin. Yes, His heart broke as you turned away from Him, but He still loved you. And He's waiting with open arms for you to run to Him. He loves you, and He wants to make you whole. He wants to heal your brokenness and give you an abundant life. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners;...to comfort all who mourn,...giving them beauty for ashes." (Is. 61:1-3)

Beauty for ashes. Do you feel like your life is filled with ashes? Give them to the Lord and watch Him make something beautiful out of them. If you've given your life to the Lord today, won't you drop us a note and let us know. We want to pray for you - and welcome you into the family.

If you're still struggling, we want to be here. Give us a call, or send us and email. We care and we want to help.