Have you every sinned, or made a mistake? If you are human, the answer should be
yes. Sin, simply means you missed the mark, or in other words, you made a
mistake. Has this mistake drawn you away from God?

Well whatever mistake or mistakes you have made, the Word of God tell us in a 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Webster Dictionary defines confess as telling or making known, admitting. So this
scripture means, to tell, make known admit to God your sins. When you do this, you
are forgiven, cleansed from any knowledge of that sin. God doesn't think about it
(once you have confessed) so you should not.

Now that you know, let's pray.

Dear Father God,

In the name of Jesus, I come to you asking for forgiveness. You said in I John 1:9, that if I confess my sins, you are faithful and just to forgive me of my sins. I confess my sins right now (PAUSE- Now take sometime to confess those sins to God. Once you have finished confessing your sins move, on to the next part of this prayer).

I thank you Father for hearing and answering my prayers. I believe that I am now
forgiven for all of my sins. I am now in right standing with you. I can now talk to you, fellowship with you and ask you anything.

In Jesus Name, Amen!

Congratulations, you are now back in fellowship with the Father. Now, don't let the
enemy tell you that God did not forgive you. God made that scripture in I John 1:9
really simple, so don't try to complicate it. You are forgive the moment you confessed
and asked Him for forgiveness.

Now, what's next? You need to think about what changes you need to make so that
you won't be in that situation again. Maybe you need to cut off a relationship, get out
of that situation, move, run, whatever it is, do it and do it NOW. Don't wait!

I will be praying for you!

Jillian Blackwell
Editor, Urban Gospel News

Don't Know Jesus? We can take care of that too.

God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life--abundant and eternal.

The Bible says...

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10

Why don't most people have this peace and abundant life that God planned for us to have?
 

Step Two
The Problem: Our Separation

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

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

Our Attempts to Reach God

People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God...

The Bible says...

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12

"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

No bridge reaches God...except one.
 

Step Three
God's Bridge: The Cross

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

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

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

God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.
 

Step Four
Our Response: Receive Christ

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

"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

"That 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

Where are you?

Will you receive Jesus Christ right now?

Here is how you can receive Christ:

1.Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2.Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3.Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and 

   rose from the grave.
4.Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and 

   control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him

   as Lord and Savior.)

How to Pray:

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

God's Assurance: His Word

If you prayed this prayer,

The Bible says...

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13

Did you sincerely ask Jesus Christ to come into your life? Where is He right now? What has He given you?

"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." Ephesians 2:8,9

Receiving Christ, we are born into God's family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. This is called regeneration, or the "new birth."

This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. To deepen this relationship you should:

1. Read your Bible everyday to know Christ better.
2. Talk to God in prayer every day.
3. Tell others about Christ.
4. Worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in

    a church where Christ is preached and the Word is

    taught.
5. As Christ's representative in a needy world,

    demonstrate your new life by your love and concern

    for others.

If you have prayed this prayer and received this free gift. Please contact us so we may be a blessing to you in prayer and agreement concerning your specific needs.

Your Friend in Christ,
Jillian Blackwell