HOW TO BE BORN AGAIN
                           by "Buggs" Bugnon

   Some people say: "Why all this fuss about being born again? Why are so
many talking about it?" 

   Nicodemus, who was a ruler of the Jews' during Christ's day, came to
Jesus asking for advice. Jesus' simple answer: "Except a man be born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)

   Some today, like Nicodemus, will ask, "How can a man be born again when
he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be
born?" (John 3:4) But Jesus answers, "That which is born of flesh is
flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit," stating again that
one must experience a spiritual rebirth in order to enter heaven - "YE
MUST BE BORN AGAIN." 

                   -A VERY PERSONAL QUESTION-

   Have you been born again? have you experienced this spiritual rebirth?
This is the one thing, according to the Word of God, that will determine
your eternal destiny. 

   For those who really want to know how to be born again, here is the
answer from God's inerrant Word: 

   We must RECOGNIZE the FACT that we are sinners, that we have violated
God's laws (and we ALL have). God says, "ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF
THE GLORY OF GOD ... THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO NOT ONE ... THERE IS NOT
A JUST MAN UPON EARTH THAT DOETH GOOD AND SINNETH NOT ... IF WE SAY THAT
WE HAVE NOT SINNED, WE MAKE HIM A LIAR, AND HIS WORD IS NOT IN US."
(Romans 3:23,10)

   We must REPENT of our sins. The Bible says: God commandeth all men
everywhere to repent." (Acts 17:30) Jesus said, "Except ye repent, ye
shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:30)

   It is not so difficult to repent when we pause to THINK of what our
sins have cost us, cost our friends, and cost our loved ones - but, most
of all, of what they have cost GOD. 

   It was for our sins, yours and mine, that God, the CREATOR and KING of
this universe, left heaven and came to earth in the person of the Lord,
Jesus Christ, to suffer and bleed and die - that WE might be free. "Hereby
PERCEIVE we the love of God, because HE laid down HIS life of us." (I John
3:16)

   We must RECEIVE Christ INTO our hearts and lives as our PERSONAL Savior
and Lord. We can read John's words about Jesus in the first chapter: 

   "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world
   knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But
   as many as RECEIVED Him, to THEM gave He power to become the sons of
   God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:1-13)

                         -THE PROMISE OF GOD-

   The moment we open our hearts to the Lord Jesus, and place our complete
trust in Him, and Him alone, as our Savior, God promises to forgive our
sins, save our soul, and reserve for us a home in heaven so that, on the
authority of the Word of God, we can KNOW where we will spend eternity.
God tells us: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the
name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life." (I
John 5:13) Jesus promises: "He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him
that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation;
but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)

   You can be born again SIMPLY by praying and asking Jesus Christ to work
this miracle in your life. You can do it AT THIS VERY MOMENT. Although it
is your HEART'S attitude that counts, we suggest the following prayer that
may guide you: 

     "Dear Father, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I
believe that Christ died for my sin.  I am willing to turn from my sins. 
I now invite Jesus Christ to come into my heart and life as my Personal
Savior.  I am willing, by God's grace, to follow and obey Christ as the
Lord of my life." 

                            -JUST IN CASE-

   In many mailings you receive, you come across a folded paper that is
labeled "DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU HAVE DECIDED NOT TO BUY, ETC..." This is
our communication. If you are thinking about NOT making this decision, we
want to make one final comment. 

   God is not someone or something you should try to explain away ... or
even pretend He isn't there, that is not important! Instead, why not reach
out and commit yourself to HIM completely? Pray the above prayer or words
that come from your heart and MEAN it! 

   Just like that - you will be BORN AGAIN, and you will find you have
taken the first step on an exciting, mind-boggling eternal adventure of
fellowship with the God of this universe. An adventure that can take you
through the pressures of this life like NOTHING you have EVER tried
before. God promises that He will not send us ANYWHERE that He has not
already prepared the way. Rest in HIM. Come to HIM. 

     If you prayed this prayer, let us know, please leave us a comment the
     next time you call SMCIS or drop your name and address in the mail.
     We would like to mail you a few things to get you started in your new
     life.

          THIS PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MINISTRY OF:
     
     SOUTHERN MARYLAND CHRISTIAN INFORMATION SERVICE BBS (SMCIS)

SMCIS BBS
Modem 301/862-3160
SYSOP:  Buggs Bugnon

               FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, BUT THE GIFT
               OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESES CHRSIT
               OUR LORD.             Romans 6:23