Saved by the Gospel

There’s a war raging. Oh you won’t hear any gunfire. No missiles soaring overhead. No grenades being tossed in your direction.

There is a war raging over your soul. Just as much as God wants you to be with him in heaven, Satan wants you to spend eternity with him in hell. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). And he will do whatever it takes to make that happen.

Satan will try to trap us; deceive us; discourage us and weaken us. No wonder Paul admonishes us to “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)

Will you receive an inheritance when YOU die? You must be thinking, “Nonsense, that’s not possible.” Think again! If you are a Christian, you have an inheritance waiting for you. Peter wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not way, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:3-4).

Jesus’ resurrection makes the inheritance that awaits the Christian in heaven possible. To receive this inheritance, you are the one who has to die! This inheritance is an eternal inheritance – it is incorruptible, undefiled, and will never fade away.

Today, I am thankful for living in hope of my eternal inheritance.

Most of us remember the Motel 6 commercials with Tom Bodet. Tom would end each commercial with the line – “We’ll even leave the light on for ya.” The phrase was his way of saying, “You are always welcome here.”

You remember the parable of the prodigal son in Luke chapter 15. The son asked for his inheritance and, after receiving it, wasted it. He soon found himself broke. He decided to go back home and ask his father if he could be one of his servants.

When the prodigal returned, his father did not give him a stern rebuke. He did not greet him with a good “tongue lashing.” No, none of that! Instead, the father welcomed him back with open arms. This was a time to celebrate!

That’s the way t I with our heavenly father. God is always ready to welcome back one who has gone astray but longs to return. He is always ready to welcome us back with open arms. I guess you could say that God will leave the light on for you.

I saw the sun come up this morning. “What’s so surprising about that?” you ask. Nothing! But, while a sunrise is not surprising, it is encouraging. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Every day you see that big orange ball rise from the horizon, remember that it is another day to experience God’s compassion. Every new day is an opportunity to experience the mercy of a loving God who, through His providential care, watches over us.

I hope you’re thankful for God’s unending love.

There is no better way to deal with the cares of life than what we find in Philippians 4:6-7. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

In a very few words Paul defines the problem (worry), provides the solution (prayer), and shows us the end result (the peace of God).

Some things, like forgetting where you laid your reading glasses, can be forgotten without any real significance. Forgetting other things, like someone’s birthday, have greater consequences. Other things, if forgotten, like forgetting to take your medicine, can have very serious consequences. But none of these lapses in memory can begin to compare with forgetting what God has done for us. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” (Psalm 103:2).

When you became a Christian heaven was filled with joy (Luke 15:10). Now that you are a Christian, allow heaven to fill your heart with joy. “Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” (Psalm 32:11)

We have all heard someone say “Do as I say, not as I do.” Perhaps you have even said that yourself. Paul told others to do as he did. Bold statement? Maybe. But Paul could tell others to imitate him because he imitated Christ. Would you be willing to let others do as you do in regard to your speech, your thoughts, your deeds? “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Christians enjoy being with other Christians. We enjoy seeing each other when we come together to worship. When we come together for a meal or just meet for a cup of coffee and conversation. But none of these things are our greatest joy. The apostle Paul wrote, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19) Our greatest hope, our greatest joy is to see one another in heaven. Hope to see you there!

Most of us remember playing with Play-Doh when we were kids. Play-Doh is a modeling compound that can be shaped into cars, flowers, dinosaurs – just about anything a kid can imagine.

If we’re not careful, we will allow the world to make play-doh out of us! The world is constantly trying to influence us. Always trying to mold us into what it wants us to be. Satan would love to shape you into what he wants you to be – your thoughts, your speech, your focus – you name it, everything about you! Don’t let him do it! “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)