SEVEN-YEAR-OLD JEFF STEPPED into the batter’s box. He waited patiently as the pitcher went into his windup and delivered a pitch. With a fluid swing, Jeff made contact and drove the ball to left field for a base hit. As he stood on first base and gazed frowningly into the nearly full bleachers, someone yelled, “Nice hit, Jeff!” Everyone was clapping for him, but he was looking for only one person. Then their eyes met. It was his father giving him a thumbs-up. With a huge grin on his face, Jeff focused on the game again.

Many children look to their fathers for approval. But once we accept Jesus as our Savior, we have a Heavenly Father whose approval we don’t have to seek. He loves His children no matter what. It’s impossible for Him to love them any more than He already does.

The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 New King James Version). To show how much He loves us, God gave what He treasured most—His Son, Jesus.

If you have not yet accepted His gift, you can do so by praying this simple prayer from your heart:

God, I come to You believing that You hear me, and I won’t be turned away. I admit that I’m not right with You, and I want to be right with You. Please forgive me of my sins. The Bible says that if I confess with my mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in my heart that He rose from the dead, I will be saved (Romans 10:9). I believe in my heart that Jesus rose from the dead, and I confess Him as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me and bringing me into Your family.