Consider one of the fish of the sea. Who put the map in the brain of the salmon that tells it how to leave its ocean home and find the river and the very stream where its life began? There it lays its eggs, and soon after dies, making room in the cycle of life for its offspring who will follow the exact pattern of all its ancestors. Do you think this all just happened by chance?

We know the universe is so well ordered that clocks are set by the rotation of the earth and the various stars and planets. So precise is the movement of these bodies that eclipses and passage of comets can be accurately foretold. Who or what set this precise rhythm of the universe in motion? Is it only chance that among the hostile environments of the heavenly bodies this earth has the right mixture of those elements necessary for plant and animal life? There must be a master plan!

The plan for the universe, nature, our bodies, and our inner personal needs has been set in order by the great God of heaven. No mortal man, past or present, begins to have such power. The precision and detail of his plan shows us that He takes great interest in man and his happiness.

Faith is believing something we cannot see. We cannot see God but we see indications all around us that point to his existence. God has intended that we could not see Him but rather that we could accept his existence by the obvious evidences which testify of Him. God reveals Himself to us as we accept his existence.

One of the most convincing evidences that there is a God is the change that takes place in a person’s life as he becomes intimately acquainted with Him. Those who had the nature of a lion become like a lamb. Where there was hate, there is now love. Where there was fighting, there is now peace. Where there was turmoil within, there is now a quiet rest. Where there were endless questions, there is now confidence. He changes the selfish person into one who cares about others.

Dear reader, do you feel a restlessness inside or a longing for something, but you are not sure what it is? Do not stifle that feeling or try to cover it up. It is your soul reaching out to God. The same God that created the earth can be your God. If you have faith and believe in the God of heaven, your life also can be changed. Instead of resenting the trying circumstances of life, you can rest in the knowledge that God sees and hears and cares.

God reveals Himself through his Word, the Bible. The Bible is history; it is prophecy; it is instruction for life. But, it is also the love of God to us, and gives direction for the inner needs of the soul. Read the Bible. Start with Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1-5. Read Psalms 23 and 51. Pray to God. He promises He will hear you.

The God of heaven and earth

has said, “All souls are Mine.”

Some place in the hereafter your soul, “the real you,” will meet the deeds done while your body was still alive (in this life)—whether good or bad. Refer to Hebrews 9:27.

You may worship sincerely.

You may feel sorry for your bad deeds.

You may even restore that which was stolen.

Surely these are all necessary—

But—

You cannot atone for your own sins.

The GOD of Heaven, the righteous Judge of all the earth knows your sins and life—nothing is hidden from Him. You with your sins can never enter the bliss and glory of the future world.

But this same Heavenly God is a God of love. He has designed a way for the redemption of your life and your soul. You need not be cast into everlasting doom and hell fire. God sent Jesus into this world to save your soul. Jesus took your sins upon Himself when He suffered and died on the cross of Calvary. God gave the best heaven had as a sacrifice for your sins. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). These words were prophesied about Jesus many years before He came to Earth.

Will you believe that Jesus loves you? Will you pray and confess your sins to Him? Will you repent and believe in Jesus, the Son of the Living God? Upon a total commitment to Him, He will bring peace to your soul and give you a glorious life after death. Only then can you be assured of an eternal home of great joy and comfort for your soul.

But OH! The pit of doom and unending fire awaiting those who in this lifetime reject the redeeming love of Jesus. There will be no turning or saving after death. “Then shall he say unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30).

God, in the Holy Bible, warns of the impending final judgment of all the earth. In these Holy Scriptures it is prophesied that before that notable Day of Judgment there will be clear and pronounced signs.

Before His coming there shall be wars and rumors of wars, distress and perplexity of nations. Nations will be fighting each other and will seem to find no way of settling their differences of attitudes and opinions.

There shall be earthquakes and pestilences in various places. The Bible tells us that evil men will wax worse and worse. At the same time people will not heed the warning but be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Are we not witnessing the fulfillment of these prophecies in our day? Refer to Matthew 24:6-7, 12 and also 2 Timothy 3:4.

Let us remember that our just and great Judge will not be influenced by our present wealth or poverty, fame or disgrace, or by our color, race, caste or creed. Some day we will stand before our great Creator and Lord to be judged according to our deeds. Read Matthew 25:32-33.

In the endless eternity ahead there will be no time clock, no annual calendar, and centuries will not be reckoned. The smoke of the torment of the sinner and ungodly shall ascend forever and forever—while at the same time the joys, songs, bliss, and comfort of the redeemed will be unending in heaven. Make your choice now! Soon it may be too late, “Behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2, Matthew 11:28-30).

The little boy believed his teacher, stepped up to the desk, and got the watch. In the same way you can receive the gift that Jesus offers you today.

“What shall I do?” you say. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” says God’s Word, “and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). As you look to the Lord you see how sinful you are, and you say, “There is no hope for me. I cannot come to the Lord this way.” Listen again to the words of Jesus, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden” (Matthew 11:28). He does not tell you to get rid of your sins, to clean up your life and then come. No, come as you are. Tell Him your sins, tell Him your troubles, and apologize to those you have wronged. Believe that He hears you. Reach out, believing like the little boy, and He will give you peace of mind and rest for your soul.

Let’s see what else Jesus says. “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). Notice the last part, “is passed from death unto life.” It need not take long. The price is paid, and you can be free right now. He paid the debt when He died on the cross. There your sins were paid for. But you must look in faith to Jesus who died on the cross in your stead.

Can you believe this? Can you take Jesus at his word and leave your load of sin and trouble to Him? Pray to Him now, repent of and confess your sins, and receive that free gift of peace—be born anew, be a child of God. Jesus says in the third chapter of John, “Ye must be born again.” That is, born of the Spirit.

You Can Enjoy Living with Christ

When you are born again, your old desire for sin passes away. Sin does not look so attractive anymore. Your heart is filled with peace, and you do not enjoy the foolishness of the world.

Now you love to pray. You enjoy God’s Word. You read it, listen to it, and study it. You even love those whom you did not like very well before. At home or in church you commune with God in prayer and receive strength to say no to the tempter. When trials or temptations come, you know that God is always near, ready to help you over the rough places. And as you grow in your Christian life you find that prayer is your vital breath—you cannot get along without it.

You Can Work for Jesus

Knowing that the Lord has saved you makes you want to do something for Him. You start by telling others of your experience with the Lord. Your heart overflows with joy, and you want others to have the same experience.

As you learn to know God’s Word better, you can reach out farther and help those who are in sin. Or you can help with other work in the Church. You can help in Sunday school, in Bible classes, and in church services. You can testify for the Lord in public. God will lead you into an active Christian life. In this way you can honor God and show your appreciation for what He has done in your life. God calls every Christian to serve Him.

The apostle Paul gives us some good instructions along this line. He says, “M y beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

One thing we need to remember is to be obedient to the Word of God and to the Holy Spirit who leads us in the right path. Jesus emphasizes it very strongly that we must be doers of the will of our heavenly Father (Matthew 7:21).

God Will Reward You

How does God reward you? Actually there are two stages of reward. One is here in this life; the other is in the life to come.

Let’s look at the words of Jesus again. He says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). The peace He speaks of here is for those whose sins are forgiven, whose hearts are washed with the blood of Christ. It is for those who have completely given their lives over to Him. He gives that peace to men so the Christian life will be worthwhile. You can have peace in your heart as you turn to Him in all your problems. That is part of the reward.

He helps you to resist temptation. He hears your prayers when you call to Him for help.

If you remain faithful to the Lord you will have a reward in heaven. In this life you will have disappointments, but in heaven you will have eternal happiness. When you get to heaven, all the troubles and cares of this life will have vanished. You will be with God and the angels and all the faithful Christians forever and ever. That will be the eternal reward.

Jesus Is Coming Soon

The Bible tells us that Jesus will return again. He is not coming as a loving Savior as before. This time He will come as a judge, and He will “reward every man according to his works” (Matthew 16:27). The sinner will go to the place “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). There hope is gone. No one will be able to turn to God for forgiveness. The Bible describes it as “outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12). Jesus warns us about the place “where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44).

As a child of God you need not fear the coming of the Lord. Jesus is coming to take his children home to heaven. He says, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is” (Mark 13:33).