More than just a ticket to heaven

I am and will forever be grateful to God for his son because through him I am saved. When I got born again, my sins were forgiven. I became a new being in Christ once I accepted him and because of this, I earned a ticket to heaven. However, it was not just a ticket to heaven, it was greater than that, and this is why:

•   Became a member of the family of God.

The bible says that because of the death and the resurrection of Christ, we have the right to be called sons of God (John 1:12-13). And that we join in the family where Jesus is the firstborn (Romans 8:29-30). I remember the day when I first gave my life I felt so new. So much had changed because I had become a child of God. Although I forgot my identity on the way and left home after a few months, when I went back four years later I was still received in the family. This was because I still had the right to be in that family. It was even better than before and I would never want to leave again because there is fullness of joy. I am shielded and protected (Psalms 91)

•    My guilt and shame was taken away

I don’t have to say how my life without Christ was because we all have a past and to some of us, it was so horrible. So many times after I had rededicated my life to Christ I suffered guilt. I did not believe that God had really forgiven me. I would condemn myself and could not even pray because the images of the past sins were playing in my mind. But I thank God that he helped me through. He kept reminding me that I was a new creation and that the old was gone (Isaiah 43:18). He made me realize that I was free because His son had set me free (John 8:36). Slowly by slowly he took my guilt away and now I rejoice that am set free.

•       Freedom from bondage

I did not just become who I am today immediately I got born again. It took walking with God and studying his word everyday and the help of the Holy Spirit to be what I am. I struggled with so much in my life, so many bondages that had held me captive. But I thank Jesus Christ that he came to set the prisoners free and to release the oppressed and I was one of them (Luke 4:18-19). It wasn’t easy but God was gracious to me and I won’t lie to you that all is done but am so grateful that day by day and step by step he is setting me free. I have so much freedom in my soul.

•       His presence

There is nothing better than being in the presence of God always. The bible says that it is better one day in His presence than a thousand days elsewhere. I love being in his presence because there I find fullness of joy. In his presence I am safe because in the day of trouble he keeps me safe (Psalms 27:5). It is in his presence that I get healed, I get freedom, I find peace and I am favored. In his presence I find rest.

•      Guidance

Where would I be without him? It wasn’t enough to be born again, I needed to walk right too. When I failed to walk in His word I fell and went back to sin. But when I rededicated my life to him and allowed him to be my all, he held my hand and he now leads me. He has taught me his ways and he reminds me of them every day that I may walk in them and not fall (Psalms 119:33-40). But even when I fall, he is always there to pick me up and keep me going. He has given me His Holy spirit who is always there to remind me of the ways of God. He is that still small voice that calms the storms in me.

•     He is my best friend and has given me love

In him I find love. He always reminds me that he loves me with an everlasting love and I have felt it through his provision and doing. He has been my friend, the kind that I can share with everything without fear of being judged or condemned and you know what, he speaks back to me in so many ways. Through His still small voice, His word, different people and so many different way and I truly feel the love.

•           His provision and his faithfulness.

He has been faithful to His promises to me in my life. I have seen him bring each of them to accomplishment and what is remaining I know he is working on it (Psalms 145:13b). I have not lacked anything (Psalms 24:1). He has given me all I need because he has it all. Everything I have belongs to him because he created it. He defines my life and my happiness. He has given me family and friends. He has given me a ministry and I find joy in serving him.

•     He holds my future

(Jeremiah 29:11) There is no better place for my future to be that in his hands. He knows my tomorrow and my end (Psalms 139). He has all of it well planned and I feel secure. I have found hope in the Lord and I can always count on Him because he has all I need.

• My Ticket to heaven

I am one happy girl because I have confidence that even if I die tonight I will go to heaven because he has prepared my mansion (John 14:2-3). He has my get pass to heaven and he also has my crowns; my rewards for what he has helped me do (Revelations 22:12).

Therefore, I declare that I have heaven as the ultimate goal but he has given me more than just a ticket to heaven.

Happy Easter!