Have you ever asked yourself what it takes to get to Heaven?
Jesus gave us the answer when He said nobody could get to God the Father except through Him (John 14:6). As God resides in heaven, it is clear Jesus is integral to reaching those pearly gates and gaining admission. This is why believers share the gospel, encouraging people (Christians included) to choose Jesus, submit their lives to Him and thereby gain access to God the Father who lives in Heaven.
Yet, many say the Sinner's Prayer or some version of it, and think that's it. They don't realize that there's more in store for them. Jesus promised that all who believed in Him and kept His commandments would receive "another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth" (John 14:15-17). Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to His people. He revealed some functions of this great gift in John 14:26 - But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The Holy Spirit is charged with reminding us of what we've learned from Christ's Gospel. After all, most of us can hardly remember what we had for breakfast, talk less of the many mysteries Jesus taught. The Holy Spirit acts as the Voice of God and His job is to help us "turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”" (Isaiah 30:21). Without Him, we'll never get out of the sin habits that our intelligence can't rescue us from.
Ephesians 1:13-14 - And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him (NLT).
Jesus marks believers with the Holy Spirit and this is a guarantee of the promise of eternal life with Jesus in Heaven (Romans 6:4). This makes the Holy Spirit incredibly special because Holy Spirit is thereforeour literal ticket to Heaven. In addition, the Holy Spirit ensures we get everything God promised to us here in this realm. All that was stolen from us or that we neglected to claim. He gives us hope and guidance on how to get all that's ours. We therefore cannot afford to ignore the Holy Spirit and act as if He doesn't exist. He is part of the Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. He is assigned to each of us who have chosen to believe and obey Christ, and thereby be identified as His own.
To get to Heaven, you need Jesus and one you have Him you get the Holy Spirit who will walk with you through every situation to get you to eternal life. Would you start the process of submitting your life to Jesus today? Would you do this so you can be blessed here on earth and receive your ticket to Heaven? Today is P&P 200 and we are celebrating the anniversary of the 200th gathering to fellowship via Praise & Prayer (for others). This is the perfect opportunity to give your life over to Christ and receive the promise. This decision is a choice to be subject to Jesus, having Him as your Lord and Savior. Do not assume that you were raised Christian and that will suffice. Salvation is an individual journey. Do not think you've done great good and will thus get into Heaven. There are many good people in hell, unfortunately. Jesus was clear - nobody gets to eternity except through Him. And through Him, you get Holy Spirit who takes you from good to godly.
So, tell Him you want Him as Your Lord, tell Him you need Him to teach you and send you the Holy Spirit to help you remember all you learn at His feet. Say the following prayer - Thank you Jesus, for sacrificing yourself for me. Lord Jesus, I come to you as a sinner in need of repentance. I ask for your forgiveness. Today, I renounce satan and proclaim Jesus as the new Lord of my life. From this day onward, I am a child of God, redeemed and anointed to live a life of light. A life that illustrates the grace of my Lord. Thank you God for coming into my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
Rejoice and let the rest of us know you picked the Holy Spirit, Jesus and Almighty God! Then come back at Noon EST for a praise party so we can join you in thanking the Lord for your life and the ticket you shall surely receive as a child of God.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father God. Thank You. God who spoils us with His excess love. The One who determines that we shall experience His kindness and grace from day to day. Thank You for looking at us and choosing to abide with us. Thank You for bringing Your son Jesus to earth where He lived, died and rose again just for our sakes. For by doing so, He broke the chains satan had bound us with. And on top of that, You decreed that those who believe in Jesus and submit to Him, receive a deposit of Your Spirit to guide us through life here in the land of the living and take us to life eternal with You.
What a mighty God we serve!
Thank You for blessing us with life and the opportunity to gather in fellowship for the 200th time. We do not take this grace for granted. It is only because You are kind that such was possible. Lord, praise be to Your Holy Name!
As we go our separate ways, cover today's participants. Let Your grace and Your Presence remain upon them. Let everything seeking to cause Your light in them to subside be burnt to chaff and rendered ineffective. May Your favor rest on them and produce Your works of power to Your glory and by Your grace, IJMN, Amen.