What is the first thing that comes to your mind when I say “What’s Your Wish”? Is it winning the lottery? Maybe it’s getting a promotion or meeting that man or woman who will be your mate for life. But in reality the most we can hope for is to be Saved by Jesus.
Ephesians 1:11 “In him we were chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will…….”
So if God already knows who will and who will not be saved why do we pray for salvation for others if God has already made up his mind? First of all we aren’t to know the future; we are called to pray for all people so that they will inherit salvation. I say the word inherit because inherit is something that cannot be bought. Inherit is a free gift. Heaven is also a free gift given by Jesus Christ for all who believe. Going to church, being baptized, being a deacon, a Sunday school teacher, being a good parent or being confirmed WILL NOT GET YOU TO HEAVEN.
Ephesians 2:8, 9 “For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works so that no one can boast.”
Works WILL NOT get you into heaven. It works could get us into heaven then Jesus paid a horrible price on the cross for nothing.
On Paul’s second missionary journey he met a woman named Lydia who was a well know businesswoman in the area. It says that she was a worshipper of God.
Acts 16:14 “One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was worshipper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message.”
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Worshipping God does not mean that you are going to heaven. Many people go to church every Sunday, sing hymns, recite prayers and try to be religious. But as Ephesians 2; 8 and 9 say that "works" will not get us into heaven. Lydia was worshiping God but she was not saved.
IT WASN’T UNTIL GOD OPENED HER HEART THAT SHE BECAME SAVED.
Where is your heart? Are you harboring bitterness from the past? Are you holding a grudge that should have been let go a long time ago? Are you trusting in your own works instead of God’s grace? Do you think you have a long time to live and feel that you will put this off to a later date? No matter what you do YOUR days are already numbered.
Job 14:5 “Mans days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”
Hopefully you can recount a time in your life when you asked the Lord into YOUR life. If you cannot then pray that the Lord of the universe would soften your heart and that he would come and save you for eternity. This may be the day for you, for your life to be changed for now and for eternity. Are you ready or are you going to take a chance on the uncertainty and brevity of life and hold off to a more opportune time?
As a thief comes in the middle of the night when you least expect it, so the same with death. Pray today that this would be YOUR day. If you have already had your day then Amen! Pray then that God would use you to help bring someone else into the kingdom of God. The best thing in the world is coming to know Jesus. The second best thing is helping others to come to know Jesus also.
Make this the day and make the most of every opportunity. If this is the day let me know and we will send you information to help you grow in your faith.
Take Care
Brad
