Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Today's lottery

"They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:31




Tens of thousands of runners will enter the New York City Marathon lottery today in the hope they will be granted access to one of the greatest races in the world. Out of the 80,080 accepted entries, only 14,326 runners will gain admission this way. 3,541 runners have already earned entry through time qualification standards and 1,400 runners will enter the race using their deferred entry from the 2012 cancelled race. If a runner isn't able to get in using one of those methods, he or she can apply to participate through one of the nearly 300 programs available though the marathon's charity program. Wow, so it looks like through luck, skill or works a person has fairly decent odds of getting into the race. And if a person doesn't get in? Well there's always next year right?

Not so when it comes to gaining entry into the Kingdom. There is no lottery system and neither ability nor acts of service will gain you access. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." It's only by the unmerited favor of God, his free gift to us, that we are guaranteed an entry into Heaven. It's one thing to leave it to chance whether you will enter a race where you will spend only a few hours, quite another to where you will spend eternity don't you think?

So, how can you know for sure that you will be granted entry into the greatest event of your life? It's pretty simple really - believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. It's that easy. But you have to make the choice. Are you ready?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of undeserved grace that you offer all believers. I pray that anyone who is uncertain whether they are truly saved would pray this prayer: Father I know that I am a sinner. I confess my sins to you and repent of my ways. I believe that you are the one true God and that Jesus Christ is your son. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to save me from my sins and I give you my life... every part of me. Right here. Right now. Take me and make me yours. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

We believe - Newsboys

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