Years ago I bought an old John Deere Model B tractor exactly like the ones my grandfather and my dad had on the farm in Anderson County, South Carolina.  Specifically, the tractor is a 1947 two cylinder "putt putt" that can be started by turning the huge flywheel, or by conventional electric starter.  The idea was to restore the tractor to like new condition, which has been a slow ongoing operation since bringing it home.

     The other day, getting it ready to start, I realized that a part was missing, a piece essential to the tractor's ignition system.  Without this part, the tractor would never run.

     I was reminded of so many who go through this short life with something missing, and that something is Jesus Christ, God's gift to mankind.  "For the wages of sin is death; but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Make no mistake about it, for any person to go to Heaven it has to be by Jesus Christ.  It is Christ who is saying to all, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  Jesus Christ is not "one of the ways to Heaven"...He is the ONLY way.  This is the main message of the Bible!

     Yet, so many try to piece together ways that are not salvation, ways which will never work, ways which will never take one to Heaven.  Many trust in baptism, many in their church membership, many in some kind of works, many trust in self and on and on. Neither these nor anything else can ever be a substitute for Christ Who said, "I am the way, the truth, the life . . ."

     As a Pastor, I love to help people find their way, show them from God's Word the One who is truly missing in their lives. Talk about true joy and true happiness!!  When any person comes to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ receiving HIM as Saviour, not only is there rejoicing here, but, Heaven rejoices ! (Luke 15:7, 10) "Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD." Psalm 144:15

     Many are struggling over the matter of salvation, Heaven, and how to get there, knowing all the time that deep down inside, something is missing.  If this is you, take God at His Word, trust Him and you will find that for which your soul longs.  When, God was dealing with me over my need of Christ, I went to Romans 10:13 where God said, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." I called upon His Name and my life has never been the same since.  Salvation was mine that moment and forever as He promised.  That missing part of my life was missing no more.

     As I pondered over what to do or where to get the missing tractor part, I remembered that we had spare parts in an old tool box.  I looked and sure enough the missing piece was there.  It didn't take but a minute to install.  We "filled her up" with fresh gasoline, pressed the starter, and after about two rounds of the flywheel, the old tractor fired up.  If you know the sound of a vintage two cylinder John Deere, you know that it is very unique, unusual, and satisfying to the ear.  We let the tractor run for a good while, just listening to a work of art nearly 60 years old.  But, before it could run, the missing piece had to be found and installed.

     If Jesus Christ is missing in your life, I urge you to trust God to put your life together.  Start by asking the Lord to save you, THIS IS OF GREATEST IMPORTANCE!  Then, get in a Bible believing, Gospel preaching, Christ centered church, be baptized, and take your place in following Christ.

     Only Christ can take a broken, scattered, wasted life and put it together.  Millions who know can say AMEN to this!

     May God bless you.