What do you think it takes for someone to get to heaven? Is it luck? Good deeds? Nothing at all? Or is there something more? The Bible has the real answer to this question. It's a matter of FAITH.

F stands for FORGIVENESS. We cannot have eternal life without God's forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7a says, "In Him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins."

A is for AVAILABLE. Forgiveness is available for all. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." But forgiveness is not automatic. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven," says Matthew 7:21a.

I is for IMPOSSIBLE. It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven because of who He is and because of who we are. God is loving and just, but His judgment is against sin. James 2:13a says, "Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful." We are sinful people. Romans 3:23 tells us, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

T is for TURN. To turn means to repent. We can repent - or turn - from our sin and from ourselves. "But unless you repent, you too will all perish," Luke 13:3b says. We can also turn to Someone. Trust Christ alone. Romans 10:9 tells us how: "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."

H is for HEAVEN. Heaven is eternal life. Here, that means life "to the full:" "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10b)." In the hereafter, it means the promise of heaven: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:3)."

So how can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord?
By trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness. Take the step of faith described by another meaning of FAITH: Forsaking All I Trust Him.

You do this through a simple prayer reflecting your desire for Christ to change your life. You don't need fancy words - only an honest heart. You can pray something like this:

Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and have displeased You in many ways. I believe You died for my sin, and only through faith in Your death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I want to turn from my sin and ask You to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day on, I will follow You by living a life that pleases You. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen.

Accepting Christ is just the beginning of a wonderful adventure with God! Get to know Him better in a number of ways:

• Come to Grace Church where you can worship God and grow in your faith.
• In church, get involved in a Life Group and Bible study.
• Follow Christ's example in baptism.
• Begin a daily personal worship experience with God where you study the Bible and pray.

We’d love to hear from you - Please feel free to ask us any questions you have about becoming a Christian, or tell us about your decision to follow Jesus Christ. Please let us know how we can serve you.

Here are some great resources for men:

Point Man by Steve Farrar – leading a family is like a point man on a squad

The Man in the Mirror by Patrick Morley – one of the first books I read on what it meant to be a godly man, still have it on my shelf

Men Leading the Charge by Steve Farrar – a video/workbook series, still pretty good stuff

Risk – Are You Willing to Trust God with Everything by Kenny Luck – great book on stepping out and trusting God

A Tale of Two Saviors by Gene Wilkes – a compare and contrast between Samson and Jesus – many men could relate to Samson and his struggles

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson – great book on chasing God’s dreams for us as men

David by Chuck Swindoll - great study on a man who struggled and came out on top

Joseph by Chuck Swindoll – many guys struggle with the fact that they can‘t control everything, and neither could Joseph

Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus – great references and stories that speak to the heart of men

Jesus on Leadership by Gene Wilkes – great study on servant leadership

Every Man’s Battle by Steve Arterburn and Fred Stoeker – deals with sexual purity.

Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes – calls Christian men to the task of equipping themselves spiritually. Chapters address such issues as integrity, leadership, prayer, friendship and work.

The Man God Uses by Henry and Tom Blackaby – a 7-week study that helps guys understand how their life with God affects all areas of their life.

Six Battles Every Man Must Win by Bill Perkins – great little book to get guys talking about real stuff, Perkins provides discussion questions at the end of each chapter.

The Hidden Value of a Man by Gary Smalley and John Trent – teaches men how to use their God-given power to build strength, love, and unity in their families and the world.

Wild at Heart by John Eldridge – if Christian men are going to change from a pitiful, wimpy bunch of "really nice guys" to men who are made in the image of God, they must reexamine their preconceptions about who God is and recover their true "wild" hearts.

Raising Modern Day Knights by Robert Lewis – teaches dads how to prepare their sons for manhood.