By Scott Donaldson

Promises, promises!

The world is full of promises. Most everyone will make a promise at the drop of a hat and never think twice about breaking it.

People will say whatever they think you want to hear at a particular moment in time just for appeasement purposes.

The casual promise is almost laughable in today’s flippant society. Especially promises of something as important as security.

There are enumerable “things” that we concern ourselves with each day: the security of our family, home and money just to mention a few. There are almost as many security firms making promises for protection as there are threats against which one might need protection. It’s crazy!

However, with all the concern for the safety of our material possessions, many people fail to make the necessary preparation for eternal security.

I wonder how many people ever stop and think about what really happens when death comes.

During Jesus’ earthly ministry there were many times of great conversation between He and His disciples. On one occasion Jesus spoke about this very question.

The disciples were concerned when Jesus said that He must leave and they would have to wait for a time to follow.

Jesus assured His faithful followers with these words from the book of John, chapter 14:1-3; Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. On that day Jesus made a promise to His faithful followers. A very simple promise that holds true still today, believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that He (Jesus) died on the cross and God raised Him from the grave three days later.

After His resurrection, Jesus went home to the father (God). He told the disciples He was going to prepare a place for them also. He said if they believe in Him that He would come back one day and take EACH ONE HOME TO HEAVEN.

To be assured of a home in heaven one day, one only needs to accept Jesus as his or her personal savior.

If you don’t know Jesus as your personal savior and you’re ready to begin a life filled with true love fresh from the source, today is the day of salvation, tomorrow may be too late.

To become a believer in Jesus Christ we must admit that we are sinners. That’s easy, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.

Next, believe that Jesus died for our sins. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” Romans 5:8.

Finally, confess our sins to the Lord; Romans 10: 9 tells us … that if you confess with your mouth to the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Accepting Jesus as your personal savior is the single most important decision you will ever need to make. I pray today that if you’re not saved you will decide to follow Christ before it’s too late.

If you are already saved and God doesn’t have first place in your life, give God an opportunity to take the lead in your world. That’s where He wants to be. No matter your situation, God loves you and I do too.

If you would like to talk about your salvation, discuss your situation in life or just want someone to pray with, feel free to contact me at 334-464-6936. May God bless you and keep you!

Scott Donaldson is pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in the Bullock community, just south of Brantley.