Most of us don’t give thought to death on a daily basis. I would venture to say that there are some days when we do not even think about it at all. But we should. Because in the least-expected place, it can come for us.

Nine people found that out two weeks ago in Charleston, South Carolina. They were simply attending a midweek prayer meeting and Bible study at a church that had been in existence for nearly 200 years. A young man walked in, sat with them for about an hour, and then opened fire, killing the pastor who was also a state senator, a library manager, a church choir member, the church’s maintenance man, another pastor, an administrator at Southern Wesleyan University, a high school track coach, a Bible study teacher, and a young man who died because he jumped in front of the gun in order to protect a family member. In the most unlikely of places, they all met the one thing they probably never dreamed of meeting there — death.

The entire nation was shocked by the tragedy.

However, as the victims’ families, the church, and the community came together, the nation saw a different response to death. Yes, there was crying and mourning for those who had been lost. But there was even more prayer, love, acceptance, and even forgiveness toward the man who had carried out this terrible act. They could respond in this manner because they knew that the nine people who died in Charleston were prepared, not necessarily for death, but for what comes after.

While Americans were once again reminded of the legacy of racism, discrimination, and hatred in our country, the deaths of the nine church members in Charleston also remind us that we need to be ready for what comes after death because death can come to us in the most unlikely of places and at the most unlikely of times. At any moment, despite our past good fortune and despite our plans for the future, we can suddenly and unexpectedly cross the line from life to death. The question is: Are you prepared?

Today, you have the opportunity to make sure that you will spend eternity in Heaven with God by accepting Jesus Christ as your Saviour. Please don’t put off this decision, for as we see from what happened at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, we do not know what tomorrow holds.

Do you want the certainty of knowing that you are going to Heaven no matter when you die or how you die? If so, allow me to share with you three simple steps that you need to take to give your life to Jesus Christ today and be assured of a home in Heaven for all eternity.

First, recognize that your sins have separated you from God. Our sins are the bad or wrong things that we do. Everyone in the world has sinned. The Bible says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” In honest repentance, agree with God about your sinfulness and admit your need for forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Second, realize that God loves you, and believe that his sinless Son, Jesus Christ, died for your sins — taking the punishment that you deserve. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Romans 5:8 says, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Because of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, we do not have to suffer eternal death and punishment in Hell.

Third, accept Jesus Christ’s invitation to Heaven by receiving Him by faith as your Savior from sin’s consequences. Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins and for Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and please give me the power of your Holy Spirit to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved from Hell and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! Congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door.” Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

Believe by faith. Share the faith. And keep the faith! God Bless You!