Have you ever entered a ball game or theme park through a turnstile?
Unlike a wide gate, it provides a good way to control the traffic, and to collect tickets.
Turnstiles are narrow and are designed to allow only one person to enter through them at a time.
In Matthew 7:13-14, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used an illustration that tell us
there are two choices, or two gates, through which people will enter into eternity.
One is the wide gate that leads to eternal destruction;
the other is the narrow gate, the gate that leads to eternity with God.

God has given each of us complete freedom to choose how we will spend eternity.
Jesus wants each person to choose the narrow gate.
Even though God loves each of us (John 3:16), Jesus said
that not everyone will be saved (Matthew 7:21)
because not everyone will choose the gate, or the turnstile,
that leads to the narrow way.
Each person must choose as an individual to enter the narrow way.
That narrow way is JESUS!

Since you're here already, would you like to take a trip down the "Roman Road"?

The first stop on the road to hope is POWER.
There is a power capable of giving you hope. The Bible tells us God has that power.
"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ;
for it is the power of God unto salvation
to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16)

The second stop on the road to Hope is CHANGE.
The release of God's power results in change. The biblical word for change is repentance.
This means allowing God to change the direction of your life.
"The goodness of God leads you to repentance" (Romans 2:4).

Why is the change necessary?
A universal problem (the Bible refers to it as sin)
makes change necessary for all of us. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)

SIN means "missing the mark".
It is failing to meet God's standard for how we ought to live.

The third stop on the Road to Hope is GOD'S LOVE.
Although He is not pleased with us as we are,
God loves us, and wants to help us.
"But God commends his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Unforunately, our sin carries the penalty of death,
both physical and eternal.
"For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6;23)

God is willing to forgive us by accepting Jesus as our substiute.
His death on the cross paid the penalty of our sin.
His resurrection from the dead provides our eternal life.

The fourth stop on the Road to Hope is YOUR COMMITMENT.
"If thou thalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,
thou shalt be saved...
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord
shall be saved." (Romans 10:9,13)

COMMITMENT means to..... Repent = Turn away from sin to follow God's new direction for your life.

BELIEVE = Trust Jesus as your substitute.

CONFESS = Acknowledge Jesus as the supreme authority over your life.

CALL = Ask Him for forgiveness, eternal life and hope.

READ THE FOLLOWING PRAYER, and see if it expresses the desire of your heart . . .

"Dear God, I know that Jesus is Your Son
and that He died on the cross and was raised from the dead.
Because I have sinned and need forgiveness,
I ask Jesus to come into my heart.
I am willing to change the direction of my life
by acknowledging Jesus as my Lord and Savior,
and by turning away from my sins.
Thank You for giving me forgiveness, eternal life, and hope.
In Jesus' name,
Amen."

Use this prayer if it expresses your feelings,
or pray a similar prayer in your own words,
commiting your life to Jesus and asking Him for His gift of eternal life.

What happens after you receive hope from God?
You will begin to live for God (Romans 12:1-2,9-18).
You will publicly profess your faith by being baptized
(Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 3:21, Romans 6:4).
You will share with others what Jesus has done for you (Romans 10;14)
and you will get to know God better through prayer, Bible study,
and fellowship
with other Christians as a member of a local church (Romans 15:4-6).

If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior,
write down the date you gave your life to Jesus,
and commit yourself to share your Good News with someone you want to tell!

Better yet, e-mail Beej and share your experience with her!*S*
God bless you, my friend *S*

Beej@cyou.com

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