I recently heard the story about the poor man who saved all his money, to buy a ticket, so he could come to America. Upon checking in and boarding the ship, he slipped his bag into and climbed aboard one of the life boats. As the cruise went on, he happily watched as all the people went here and there on the ship, visiting and enjoying themselves. All the while he stayed in the life boats ...just watching the people and eating his cheese and crackers.
When the ship arrived in America and everyone was leaving the ship, the captain stopped him and said, Sir, I noticed that throughout the whole trip you did not participate in any of the activities or eat in the dining room...
Did anyone do anything to offend you? The man said, Oh, no sir, I only had enough money to buy a ticket for passage to America...I didn't have enough money for all the other stuff. Then the captain said, Sir, didn't you know...your ticket included the room plus all the food and activities!!!
This is the same with most Christians. They receive their ticket to heaven and don't think they are worthy enough to receive all of GOD'S PROMISES that go with it....they are always trying to PAY for HIS promises when it is a "package deal". Most Christians just accept SALVATION as eternal life when it is really SOTERIA ....SOTERIA (So-teer-ia) is a Greek word which means: God's love is a sure thing that is always reaching out to us. This promise is cause for celebration.
For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can not, and life can not. The angels won't and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God's love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are - high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean - nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ.
When the ship arrived in America and everyone was leaving the ship, the captain stopped him and said, Sir, I noticed that throughout the whole trip you did not participate in any of the activities or eat in the dining room...
Did anyone do anything to offend you? The man said, Oh, no sir, I only had enough money to buy a ticket for passage to America...I didn't have enough money for all the other stuff. Then the captain said, Sir, didn't you know...your ticket included the room plus all the food and activities!!!
This is the same with most Christians. They receive their ticket to heaven and don't think they are worthy enough to receive all of GOD'S PROMISES that go with it....they are always trying to PAY for HIS promises when it is a "package deal". Most Christians just accept SALVATION as eternal life when it is really SOTERIA ....SOTERIA (So-teer-ia) is a Greek word which means: God's love is a sure thing that is always reaching out to us. This promise is cause for celebration.
For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can not, and life can not. The angels won't and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God's love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are - high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean - nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ.
