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by Irene PetuschakMy home, Ukraine, was a republic in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or USSR. It has an area of 603,700 square kilometres, which is slightly larger than France. The population of Ukraine is approximately 52 million - 73% are Ukrainian and 22% are Russian. Ukraine declared its independence in 1990 and was recognized as an independent state by the United States in 1991.
In our country, most people have a lot of problems: our economy is destroyed; factories and plants do not work properly; doctors,teachers and engineers have no regular salary. I was a teacher, but now I have no permanent job. In spite of these difficulties, the problems with the new laws in my country and the obstacles in my life, I have new joy, happiness and peace in my heart.
I grew up in an intelligent family. My father was an engineer and he was a Communist. I was not baptized and we did not visit church. Because of my father's beliefs, we could not even speak about God in our home.
The restrictions on religious belief were severe - if I had been seen visiting a church I couldn't have become a teacher. All my life, though, I was interested in answers to some difficult questions: who is the creator of the world, what is the purpose of our life and what will there be after our death? I read scientific books that talked about the Universe and the stars, but I saw that they didn't know the answers.
Three years ago, I accidentally learned about a Christian church near my home. I decided to visit, only to learn English better. There I met a pastor and his wife. They had a tremendous influence on me. I started to read the Bible in Russian. As I studied it, I understood it more and more.
During Bible lessons with another woman, I received answers to the questions that had troubled me. God is the Creator of the world. He created mankind out of love and He gives each of our lives purpose. Death does not have to be the end. At my mature age, I changed my spiritual life. I asked God to forgive me for my sins, I asked Him come into my heart and my life and I asked Him to hold His hand on my head.
I am sure I'll be with God after my death and that I have His protection in this life.
What about you? Are you struggling to find the answers to your questions? Do you feel alone in the face of insurmountable obstacles? If so, you can find fulfilment and peace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
In the Bible, Jesus says: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him" (Revelation 3:20).
Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive us of our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of our will.
Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?
Living with hope
If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here's a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.
Is this the life for you?
If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you'll experience life to the fullest.
