One Way Ticket

I have a one way ticket to a special destination. The great thing about this ticket is I didn’t have to pay for it, someone else did, and I can never lose it. Any guesses to where I will be going?

Today I have lived another year and I have learned a lot thus far. I also can recognize how much I have grown spiritually thus far. Now in my life, I rejoice in my salvation, not so much when I was younger because I don’t think I fully grasped the joy and excitement in knowing that I have a one way ticket to spend eternity with the LORD. To understand how important this one way ticket is and how it has saved me from the depths of HELL.

This one way ticket was freely given to me by Jesus Christ, in which he paid for by His death, burial, and resurrection. All I did to receive it was (Romans 10:9) “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.” Salvation is such a wonderful thing and everyone should have it. The sad part is some don’t even want it.

So today I rejoice in another year of life, but more importantly, I rejoice in knowing that I have A One Way Ticket, my salvation.

Would you like a One Way Ticket? It’s free!

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Related scriptures and links to related blog topics are below. Additional reading on salvation can be found in the books of Matthew through John.

Psalms 13:5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

Psalms 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

Psalms 40:16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Sinners Prayer

Master Builder

Do you have an Umbrella?

Salvation, we all need it.  Although there is some that don’t realize this fact and this blog is targeted to those who don’t know the truth or the importance of salvation. What is salvation? It is defined as the deliverance from sin and its consequences. Romans 3:23 states, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, and our sin is worthy of death- “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).

I can compare or picture salvation to having an umbrella. A covering that provides protection from God’s wrath – He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (John 3:36). Do you need an umbrella? If so, all you need to do is – 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. {10} For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10).

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. {17} For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:16-17).

Tomorrow is not promised to any of us – Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth (Proverbs 27:1). Please don’t leave this earth without your umbrella.

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Related Scriptures below. Additional reading on salvation can be found in the books of Matthew through John.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 – For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ

2 Samuel 22:3  – The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

2 Samuel 22:47 – The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.

Psalms 18:2 – The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psalms 25:5 – Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

John 14:6 – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Acts 4:10-12 – “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. {11} This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. {12} Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

 

The Raging of the Sea

Life can feel like you are riding the waves of the raging sea. One moment you are up and the next you are down. The issues of life can be likened to the waves of the sea.

There are actually 3 common generating forces of waves: wind driven, tides, and tsunamis.

The wind-driven waves are created by the friction between the wind and surface water. As wind blows across the surface of the ocean or a lake, the continual disturbance creates a wave crest.

The wind driven waves can perhaps be compared to the everyday expected or unexpected, but manageable issues of life.

The second are the tidal waves, which are caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon on the earth.

The tidal waves can perhaps be compared to the unexpected issues of life. The issues that bring questions and doubts. Did I do something wrong? What did I do to deserve this? God are you hearing my prayers?

Finally, the tsunamis are giant waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea. These waves are more like a fast moving tide crashing into the shoreline.

Tsunamis can be compared to those unexpected, devastating, and un-manageable issues of life. The issues that crash into you, knock you down, and God is the only one who can pick you up. These issues also bring questions and doubt. God where are you?

We all will experience each wave at some point in our lives, so when you do just remember Psalms 89:8-9.
O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? (9)Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Other related Scripture:

John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Corinthians 2 1:4 – Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God

Psalms 6:9 – The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

Matthew 21:22 – And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Psalms 40:13 – Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.

Numbers 23:19 – God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Deuteronomy – 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Giving Thanks

One of the earliest things we are taught in life is to say thank you. It’s a phrase that is most likely used often daily to express gratitude. We give thanks to our LORD daily because He is so good to us and we are commanded to praise the LORD and give Him thanks.  Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever (Psalms 106:1).

We should continually thank God with the fruits of our lips (Hebrews 13:15). He has given us the greatest gift, our Lord Jesus Christ.  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Scripture shows us how to thank the LORD not only by using our lips but by sharing how great He is to others.

2 Samuel 22:50  Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.

Psalms 105:1-5  “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. {2} Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. {3} Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. {4} Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. {5} Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;”

Psalms 92:1  It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

Psalms 30:12  To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Ezra 3:11  And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Revelation 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

 

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Naaman

In 2 Kings Ch. 5 verse 1 there is the story about Naaman. He was the captain of the host of the king of Syria. The Bible describes him as an honorable man, and because of him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria. Naaman was a mighty man in valor, but he also was a leper.

Elisha the prophet sent for Naaman and he came and stood by the door of Elisha’s house. 2 Kings {10} And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. {11} But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. {12} Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. {13} And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? {14} Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”

Naaman wanted his healing his way, the way he thought it should be. It wasn’t going to be his way and he was angry.  We all have our own thoughts, ideas, and expectations on how God will deliver us in times of need. Isaiah 55, verse 8 states; “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”

Don’t get angry or frustrated. Remember, when God delivers it never happens the way we thought it would, but with God it still happens.

 

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Seek the Kingdom

Our life on this Earth is uncertain and the Bible is clear on this fact. It has been stated in the Bible that life is like a vapor (James 4:14), a shadow (Psalms 144:4) or even like grass (Psalms 103:15-16). We are told in Proverbs 27:1, Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Since we know life is uncertain and we don’t know if we will see tomorrow, our time should be used wisely (Proverbs 11:30; The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise).  Life shouldn’t be about seeking the pleasures of this world, it should be about seeking the kingdom of God and doing what is necessary to please Him. We were made for His pleasure (Revelation 4:11). Are you seeking the kingdom?  Or are you seeking the vain and temporal things of this world? I have always said to myself and to God that I don’t what my life to be a waste, if you’re not doing anything for Him that’s exactly what it is. Without Him we have no purpose.

We must do what is right in His eyes. Keep or start laboring for the Kingdom, it is all that matters (Philippians 2:16;  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain). 1 Corinthians 15:58 states, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Related scripture:

James 4:14  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away

Psalms 144:4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away

Psalms 103:15-16 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. {16} For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more”

Psalms 4:2  O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

2 Corinthians 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Revelation 4:11  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Trust in Him

My past week began with a mind challenge. It brought about questions and doubts, but this one question ended it all. Do you believe that God is all that He says He is? Yes, I do! Then trust Him. So, now I ask you do you believe that God is all that He says He is?  If so, trust Him.

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Related Scripture:

Philippians 2:5 – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Psalms 37:5 – Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Psalms 62:8 – Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.