Because God made you. He not only made you, He loves you deeply. And He wants you to have a long and fulfilling life. Yes, there is evil in the world and bad things happen to good people...that is a reality in our world. And yet God is available and wants to come into your heart, to nourish you as His child, to affirm His deep and abiding love for you and to fill you with His plan and purpose for your life. In short, He wants you to have life to the full!

You may think God does not love you - will you ask Him to show His deep love for you? You may think that He's an angry God - will you seek Him to find out what He's really like? You may think that He would never accept you - will you knock at His door and receive His invitation to come live in your heart? If you ask, He will answer you. If you seek, you will find Him. And if you knock, He will open a door to knowing Him that will satisfy the deepest parts of your heart.

You may say, "Bill, that's too good to be true...there is no god like that." Well, I've got news...God is NOT of this world. He's not like an earthly father who may have verbally or physically abused you. He's not like an uncle or cousin or priest who may have sexually abused you. He's not like a harsh teacher who demands more effort or a boss who demands higher performance. He's not like the preacher who holds a high religious standard you can never achieve. He's not like a peer who persecutes you because you are different. And He's certainly not like a parent who has abandoned or rejected you. So who is He? That's a good question...

What Can God Offer You? 

First, He's a Safe Place. When we don't feel safe in this world...even when we don't feel comfortable in our own skin...we need a place to dwell where it's safe and secure. "The one who will dwell in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." (Psalm 91:1)

Second, He's A Good Shepherd. When we feel ravaged by pain, anxiety and oppression, we need some kind of release...we need freedom...and security...and acceptance. We need comfort. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." (Psalm 23)

Third, He's a Close Companion. When we feel lonely and all alone in our fears and our hurts, we need to know there is someone who will always be there...who will care...who will understand. We need someone to walk with us. "Oh Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord." (Psalm 139:1-4)

Fourth, He's a Faithful Friend. When we feel hurt by life and hurt by those who were supposed to be trustworthy...when we've even been hurt by our own family. We need a true friend. "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  (John 16:33, Hebrews 13:5)  

Fifth, He's a Constant Help. When we feel like there's no one there and we just can't seem to get to where we need to go...we can't find peace for our hearts...we can't find rest for our minds...we just churn with anxiety and just feel so broken. We need someone to help us. "In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper." (Psalm 118:5-7)

Sixth, He's a Thirst Quencher. When we've tried everything else in the world to try to fill our lives with pleasure and meaning and significance...and only come up empty and wounded. We need something to fill our soul with...we need a true and lasting peace. We need our thirst quenched. "Everyone who drinks of the 'waters' of this world will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14)

Seventh, He's a Life Giver. When we feel exhausted and hopeless...maybe even suicidal...we need someone who can rescue who...who can pick us up...who can give us a new chance for hope and a good life. We need a life giver. "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he will eventually die; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)    

God Wants You to Know His Love Personally...

Well...do you believe this? It's ok if you don't. Or if you're not exactly sure. Let me ask you this - do you have even just a tiny place deep in your heart to simply imagine what it would be like to know a God like this?

Just Imagine a God like this..."Yeah, I know where you've been. I know what you've done. Yeah, it's a lot of stuff alright. But son, my compassion for you will never die. My love for you is higher than the heavens. I have wiped away your sins as far as the east is from the west. I am your father."  God is like that...Psalm 103:8-14

Just Imagine a God like this..."I've got great plans for you. I'm going to prosper you. I'm going to give you HOPE. I'm going to give you a great future. Come - pray to me. I'll listen to you. Come - seek me. In fact, seek me with your whole heart! And I promise, you will find me! God is like that....Jeremiah 29:11-14

Just imagine a God like this..."I'm going to give you rest. I will be strong as a stone to protect you. No one will get to you - I will protect you! Just trust me." God is like that...Psalm 62:1-2,5-8

Just imagine a God like this..."Oh, I know how you've been hurt. I've seen your tears. I am going to comfort you and bring you to Heaven. Oh, by the way, I'm building an awesome place for you in Heaven. I can't wait for you to see it! I know there are many troubles in your life. But trust me...I'm going to come back and get you and bring you to Heaven to live with me forever!" God is like that...Matthew 5:3-4, John14:1-4

Just imagine a God like this..."Yes my son. I know there are a lot of rules to follow. But I do not accept you on the basis of how well you follow the rules. Son, you should know this....all your brothers and sisters have really messed up their lives too! Even the ones that think they are so good! Shhh...let's not judge them. I simply want you to know that everyone messes up! We're human. So if you will just trust in my goodness...that I love you and forgive you no matter what you've done...you're going to find a new joy and a new freedom. Why? Because I freely accept you as you are. Trust me on that." God is like that...Romans 3:20-25, 8:31-39

You may be thinking, "Will God really accept me just as I am?" 

Yes, You Can Come to Him Just as You Are...

"How do I do that?", you ask. You are invited to come to Him now. This very moment. But only if you are ready. If you know that you are not ready but you want to seek more information about God, I recommend that you read the Book of John written to help share who Jesus is so that people might believe. If however you are ready to accept Christ and to learn more about how to respond to God as He reveals to you His love for you and His forgiveness and grace, then read on. It is important that you simply speak to God from your heart...just naturally talk with Him. This is not a script...it's just a helpful guide.Use it only if it helps you respond to what God is already doing in your heart.  

First, simply Agree with God's Word that you are a sinner. Does that bother you? If not, then just say the words from your heart, "Lord, I am a sinner." If you are bothered, I just want to say that it's NOT that you are the only sinner in the world. We're all in the same boat! As humans, we just tend to...sin (Romans 3:9-18) . If you're still not ready, that's OK. It's better to be honest than just mouthing the words....God loves an honest heart. Keep seeking Him and asking Him to show you the road to peace. Don't get caught in a comparison game where you determine if you're good or bad based on your life versus others' lives. That's just a big "rat race" and it gets back to the teacher who demands more and more effort or the boss who demands higher and higher performance. It's exhausting to live that way. But it's also not who God is. 

Second, simply Believe with your heart that God sent His only son to die on the Cross for your sins and that Jesus rose again from death to overcome death and sin and provide a way for us to go to Heaven (Romans 10:9). In saying this, you recognize that in light of your sin you need a Savior and that God has provided you a Savior through His son Jesus Christ. (John 17:3, John 10:27-30, John 5:24)

Third, simply Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9-13, 17). In saying this, you simply recognize that you are surrendering your will and you are inviting Jesus your Savior to take control of your life. (John 8:12, John 5:44, John 14:23) 

Fourth, simply Invite Jesus into your heart. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door of your heart and knock. If you will simply open your heart, I will come in to live with you and dine with you forever." (Revelation 3:20) He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Fifth, faithfully Trust that God has given you His Holy Spirit who will live in your heart as evidence that Jesus has saved you and as a promise that you will receive the gift of Eternal Life when you die. (John 16:13-15, John 14:26, Galatians 5:22-25)  

If you made this decision to accept Christ, please let us know. Contact Us today. And tell a friend. And find a wonderful church where God's Word is taught. And get into a small group Bible study where followers of Jesus are committed to a safe and authentic atmosphere where people can be transparent. Share with them what God has done for you! You can't know you're loved if you're not known...and you can't experience deep healing if you're hiding. So share with trusted Christian friends all about your highest hopes and your greatest struggles. 

Oh, and get ready for a wild ride...because God has an exciting plan and purpose for your life. He loves you very much! And we care for you! Please let us know how you are doing...we'd love to hear your story! You can share your story with us at bill@fishontheotherside.org. If you want to speak to Founder Bill Henson directly, you can reach him toll-free at (877) 683-6867.