His story

To choose hope instead of despair . . .




I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
- Isaiah 61:10




The good new about salvation is this:


- God who is holy made us in His image to know Him


- But we sinned and cut ourselves off from God.


- In His great love, God sent His Son, Jesus, to live a perfect life, die on the cross, and take the punishment for the sins of all who would believe in Him.


- Jesus rose on the third day, defeating death.


- Jesus now calls us to turn away from our sin and trust in Him alone for our forgiveness, so that we might be saved from the penalty of sin, which is eternal death.


- He calls us to become His followers. To have a relationship with Him.


- When we believe that Jesus is our Savior, we are promised a new life with God here on earth and for all eternity in heaven.




     Isaiah said that he delights greatly in the Lord, who clothed him with garments of salvation and a robe of righteousness. Salvation is a free gift from God for any who would believe. And salvation is a reason for great, great joy! For rejoicing and dancing and bell-ringing! To be free of the burden of sin, to be forgiven by a holy God, oh hallelujah!


"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)


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


Perhaps today you want to settle your relationship with God once and for all. If you want your sins to be forgiven and to become a follower of Christ, just pray this prayer (Or in your own words) to God. He has been waiting all this time. . . .


"God, I believe that Jesus is your Son. I believe He died to pay the penalty for my sins. Please forgive me of my sins. Make me a member of the family of God on this earth and for all eternity. Teach me how to follow you and live for your glory. Amen."


"The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled wsith joy becaused he had come to believe in God-he and his whole family" (Acts 16:34)


God does not make the gift of salvation complicated. People have done that. God does not move the target or make the good news too difficult to understnad. He is not wishy-washy. He does not play games with us. . .God does not try to trick us. He knows our hearts. Read these words from Jesus and speak your own prayers of thanksgiving: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:27-28)

If you believe in Him, He receives you into the family of God. Sins forgiven. Eternal life secure. Amen.


"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10)

The forgiven want to give what they have been given. Ask God for wisdom to know who needs to hear the good news of great joy. Maybe you could clearly explain the good news of Jesus . . .maybe God will direct you to a family member, friend, or stranger. Either way, this gift of great joy is to be shared. May the rejoicing of angels be multiplied as we lead others to the joy we have received.


(Most taken from Angela Thomas in "Choosing Joy")