Hosanna Restoration Church

Recently I was thinking again about the Joy of my salvation, which seems to be happening more and more lately but in a different way. Every time I think about it trying to imagine how it came about, it is like a new and fresh revelation. It is like I am actually experiencing it in a new and even better way. The other day, it hit me; I had won the Lottery! Only this Lottery just goes on to better and better things.

Don’t misunderstand me here. The Gospel is not a lottery. It is for all. We all hold a winning ticket that we never paid a thing for. Every person was made with a winning ticket and all we need to do is present it. Personally, the Lottery does not interest me. I have always said that if I were to win the Lottery it would be because a ticket blew in my door. Well, in a sense, the wind of the Holy Spirit did blow in my door. I had no idea what I was doing when I walked into a bible study more than thirty years ago. To be honest I mostly understood that I was in trouble, so I did not have a glorious awakening and a joy of salvation experience to begin with. Perhaps that is why it continues to roll over me like waves now when I think about it.

Matthew 22 tells the story of People being invited to a feast and the different responses they had. Some were too busy to bother, others responded with violence, and later some tried to sneak in. The main thing is that everyone was invited. I have been like some of those folks, maybe like all of them though I do not remember violently opposing the good news. I certain was too busy to bother; at least that is what I thought. I was so busy I simply ignored opportunities.

Many people are in between places like I was. I really had nothing against God, but saw no need to be too serious about Him either. I don’t think I mocked those who were caught up in Christ, but I may have simply by my attitude. It is sort of like all those years I shook my head at people riding motor cycles thinking it was crazy, but now, well now it is a different story.

I have seen the Lottery winner presentations and my, oh my, they are excited. I have also seen the stories of how winning has ruined people’s lives. David once prayed asking the Lord to restore to him the joy of his salvation. My question is, have you taken the time to enjoy your salvation? Do you feel like a lottery winner? Do you see God as the gift that keeps on giving?

You see, there is so much more to Jesus than any of us know. Just as the disciples traveling with Him were continually amazed by life changing presence of the Lord, so it is with us; we have barely scratched the surface of what is ours. Sometimes Lottery winnings are for so much a week or month for the rest of your life. With God is unlimited forever. No one would pick up their first lottery payment and then never pick up the next; they would expect them to keep coming. So let’s dig a little deeper in the well!