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PROGRAM 21 is transcribed below.

This is based on short articlefrom ComfortForToday.com

MUSIC: First bars of "Lay Your Burdens Down" from Esoteric's CD

INTRODUCTION TO ARTICLE 21:

You are listening to ComfortForToday.com, a radio program with articles from the website of the same name - ComfortForToday.com.

Today's article is entitled "There is Hope for the Broken." The art image by Rik Berry which accompanies this article on the website expresses well the sentiment of past brokenness, but now one of healing as the woman looks upward to the healing light of Jesus Christ. This image may be viewed on Rik Berry's website and is also on the cover of my book "Overcoming in the End-Time Church." There IS hope for the broken, and that is what the article is all about which I am now going to read to you.

There is Hope for the Broken

There is Hope for the Broken

("The River" www.rikberry.com)

Jim was in jail. He was 28 years old. Already he was becoming alcoholic like his father before him, whose life had ended in suicide. Jim had a wife and family at home waiting for his release, but he was now unsure that he could trust her to wait because of his own insecure home life.

Memories of a mother who had no time for her family because of her lust for other men and his father who, although a brilliant surgeon, could never remain sober were implanted too deeply within him. Not only had his father committed suicide, but his older brother had hung himself in his own bedroom at the age of 16. Now Jim seemed set in a downward course having been convicted of robbery while drunk.

We ask, "What hope can there be for Jim now?" It would take many years of counselling and much love to make any inroads on this case, and the memory of the tragedies will be always with him. We remember the words of Jesus about our responsibility to those in jail, and how we are to visit and comfort them (Matt. 25:35-46).

There is only one way for Jim's life to be turned around. "I am the WAY" said Jesus. Only Jesus can take a broken life and restore it. Only Jesus can remove the pain of bad memories and heal broken hearts. Only by saying, "Jesus, I can't do it alone, please take over my life, I am sorry for my sins" can we make it. If we say these word, sincerely seeking a Saviour, we find One. He performs a miracle in us, a life-saving miracle. It is so simple that many people can't believe it can happen, but the millions of born-again Christians around the world are proof of the power of Jesus to save.

Not only did Jesus say, "I am the way", but He said, "I am the way and the TRUTH." Other religions may have high moral teachings, but "Jesus came to destroy the devil's work" (I John 3:8 NIV). Only the truth of the teachings of Christ can set men free and keep them from being led astray by the apostate religions springing up everywhere, many of which even quote the Bible. Only Jesus' blood can save a sinner.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the LIFE!" The life force which broke open the tomb on Easter morning, "the imperishable seed" (I Peter 1:23 NIV), could be planted inside Jim if he, in sincerity, would ask. The seed of conversion sown by God's Spirit in a heart with good soil can become the tree of life (Gen.2:9 & Rev.2:7), the resurrection power which can throw off the grave clothes of the past and let us live forever.

There IS an answer for all the Jims in the world, but also for anyone who hasn't had an experience like Jim, but who wants peace and joy in a world of uncertainties.

POEM number 3 on the website:

An Invitation from Heaven

An Invitation from Heaven

I have a little secret that I want to share with you,
Most of the world won't listen - they say it isn't true.
So come a little closer, child, and sit down at My feet,
And I'll explain it all to you; it is a message sweet.

You see, dear child, there is a way that you can know I'm here
A way for you to feel My warmth, and hear Me very clear.
A way that I can come to you and live inside your heart
And give you My assurance that you and I won't part.

The secret is so simple that many won't believe,
They won't surrender to My ways or bend their stubborn knees.
But you, dear child, I truly hope, will open up your heart
And pray to Me this simple prayer My Spirit to impart:

"I give my heart to You, dear Lord, for You to call your own,
So please forgive my sinful ways, please take this heart of stone,
And write upon it your own Name, the Name that's from above:
Jesus Christ, Messiah, Lord - the God of peace and love."

If you'll but say this simple prayer, your heart will fuse to mine,
And then you truly will be, child, my own dear Valentine.
You'll then be one in love and peace with Father and with Me,
And you'll be safe, not only now, but for eternity.

The name of Jesus - that's it - the NAME of Jesus!

HYMN: "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds" from CD "Lift Up a Standard" by Robert Critchley of TACF.

We know there are many hurting people today, and no doubt there are some listening to this program even now who know not where to turn. It is for you this program is produced and paid for by the author who desires only that it will show people the way to find true joy and happiness. We are not saying that if you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you will never have any more troubles. What we ARE saying is that with Jesus you will be able to go through your troubles triumphantly claiming, "Jesus Christ truly is alive today. He no longer hangs on a cruel cross, but has come to show me the Way to God because He is Truth itself who gives me Life both now and after death."

Jesus himself said in John 14, verse 6: "I AM the WAY, I AM the TRUTH, I AM the LIFE." He died that our sins would not keep us from going to God. All we need do is be truly sorry for our sins, ask His resurrected Spirit to come to live in our hearts, and He takes our sins and our guilt away.

So if you have not asked Jesus Christ into your heart, just ask Him in your own words as you would talk to a friend. OR you can make a blood covenant with Him as friends in other cultures sometimes do with a vow like this:

I HEREBY MAKE A BLOOD COVENANT WITH YOU MY LORD AND MY SAVIOUR IN RESPONSE TO THE OFFER OF SALVATION YOU MADE WHEN YOU SHED YOUR BLOOD FOR ME.

I INVITE YOUR SPIRIT TO LIVE IN ME. BECAUSE YOU DIED FOR ME, I PROMISE TO REMAIN FAITHFUL TO YOU UNTIL DEATH.

I ASK YOU TO TOUCH MY SINFUL BLOOD WITH YOUR HOLY BLOOD THAT I MAY LIVE FOREVER.

SIGNED_________________________ (Your Name) SEALED_________________________ (Red Seal of Jesus' Blood) DELIVERED______________________ (Today's Date)

CLOSING PRAYER