You have now received some food for thought, now is the time to evaluate your life. If you were to die tomorrow, what would happen to your spirit? Do you think you will make it into the pearly gates simply by being "good"? REMEMBER, "for all have sinned and fallenl short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23 NIV). Don't keep ignoring Jesus' "knocks"—for a day will come when it will be TOO LATE!!!

Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' "But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'"

Are you in pain or lonely in your troubles at this very moment? Please consider taking the first step to answer Jesus' "knocking" now. Consider developing a relationship with him that will last through eternity.

Maybe you are a big-time procrastinator. You might think, "Hey, this is exactly what I need, a relationship with the Lord, but I'm going to wait a while--I'm just too messed up. PLEASE DON'T BE FOOLISH, my friend! We are to come to Jesus just as we are; he is not expecting us to clean ourselves up. Just in case you need a little more encouragement, here is another story for you to read.

"At this time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish ones and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At midnight the cry rang out: "Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!" Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out."

No, they replied, "There may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves".

But while they were on their way to buy oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

Later the others also came. "Sir! Sir" they said, "Open the door for us!"

But he replied, "I tell you the truth, I don't know you."

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.