I was recently watching a show in which the main character carries around at least four tote bags at all times. In the episode, she is encouraged to divide all her things into two bins - quality and quantity. She went through moments of deciding which of her 67 items were important to her and which were just weighing her down. There was a humorous sequence in which she tried to decide whether or not to keep three stuffed animals or if the Mother's Day card from her son was quality or quantity (it definitely went into the quality bin!).

The sequence caused me to think about the verse in Hebrews 12:1 which tells us to lay aside every weight and sin which easily weighs us down. Perhaps we need to take self inventory and ask, "Is this thought or attitude helping me or hindering me?" "Is this action making me more or less like Christ?" Decluttering our hearts and minds is not easy. Every day, we are inundated with images and advertisements that tell us we need more things to make us happy or that cause us to be dissatisfied with who we are. Remember that the things that will outlive us are the things we do in service to God and others. There will be no extra reward for those who acquire more. Lay up treasures in heaven, and pray for contentment here on earth.

Do you feel lost trying to be loved by someone or something that just can’t quite do it for you? Is everything pretty good, but is nothing ever enough? Do you feel overwhelmed by the weight of your guilt, shame, or mistakes?

The Bible calls our failures sin. That’s why people often call a salvation prayer a sinner’s prayer. And while sin technically makes us sinners, our true identity is a loved child of God.

Just look at how Jesus treated a woman society labeled a “sinner.”

John, chapter 8, verse 12 Jesus had just set a woman free from shame and the hypocritical, homicidal judgment of others when some religious men challenged Him about who He really was:

Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.” John 8:12 MSG

How does that sound? Would you like to be able to really see the world? To live a life that full of light, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control? To experience the radical forgiveness for sinners that only Jesus can bring?

Maybe you call yourself a sinner and believe you’re unworthy to be saved. But here’s the truth: God loves you today. Not a future, hyper-spiritual rule-following version of you. But you as you are today.

How Do You Receive Salvation?

How do you receive salvation? Is it by praying a specific prayer with all the right words? Not exactly. Instead, it’s a personal prayer to our Savior, Jesus Christ where we confess our sin, express our trust in Him, and commit to following Him every day.

Who Is Jesus?

Even People who have grown up in church their whole lives might even struggle to know exactly how to answer this question: Who is Jesus Christ? If you’re not sure how to answer right away, that’s okay.

Jesus—the One Christians believe is the Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus Christ—the One who is all God, but who also became all human for a period of about 33 years about 2,000 years ago.

Jesus—the One who was there when God decided to ignite the beauty and wonder of Creation.

Jesus—the One who became a vulnerable human baby, born to a Middle Eastern teen mother of little wealth.

Have you accepted Jesus as a real and historic figure but not yet as your friend and the leader of your life? Do you know Jesus as the great prophet who died on a cross but not yet as the Son of God who came back to life before promising us His Holy Spirit?

Accepting Jesus Means Trusting Him

Maybe you know Jesus as a church symbol or story you’ve heard about over and over but not as the human example and divine strength that makes everything new in your life. Living a life of faith means trusting in Jesus and experiencing His grace and compassion, even during challenging times.

As I get to know Jesus, I keep finding more reasons for hope and joy despite the very real pain and fear in this world.

As I get to know Jesus, I keep finding more reasons for hope and joy despite the very real pain and fear in this world. I’m discovering the why behind my questions about my identity, and I’m learning what makes my life meaningful. My whole life, I keep finding this God who finds you even while you are running from Him. Do you know the God who loves you where you are when you feel stuck trying to avoid Him? Or the God who never leaves you where He finds you?

Maybe you can relate with me, and you feel like at some point someone asked you to ignore your knowledge of science, or history, or religion, or your own mistakes. But lately, I’ve been getting to know the Jesus who works through all those things.

What Is a Salvation Prayer?

Jesus Christ welcomed all people, and He still does today. But both then, and now, He offers us a choice. Will we accept the bad news, and confess that we sin and need God’s grace? And will we accept the best news, the gospel, that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior came to save us and offer us a new life today and an eternal life with Him in heaven forever? And will we commit our lives to building God’s kingdom on earth by becoming more like Jesus Christ?

Throughout Christian history, people have prayed a prayer for salvation or a sinner’s prayer to acknowledge their desire to turn from their old lives and start fresh through a personal relationship with Jesus. You’ll find an example below. Just know, it's not a magic formula for a ticket to heaven. Instead, it’s simply saying yes to God’s grace, love, and compassion.

In the Book of Romans, the author Paul wrote this about salvation prayers:

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NIV

It’s a simple yet bold prayer that changes your life forever.