Week Nineteen, 2025
Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers‘ (Matthew 7:21-23).
It’s the same all over the world. Few countries let you just walk across the border. The ticket of entry is the “passport.” I have traveled to many countries and many of them multiple times. Everywhere I approach a border, I have to show my passport and sometimes a visa as well. When I return home, the requirement to get in the country is my passport.
There’s a passport to heaven and it’s not issued by any country’s government. The only valid passport to Heaven is to stop trusting in self and put all trust in the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ, who died for our sins and rose again. If you plan to go to Heaven, your only hope is to turn from your sin and trust Jesus. He will forgive and give you eternal life.
You will receive your passport to Heaven when you place your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Your Passport to Heaven
A. AGREE with God that you are a lost sinner unable to save yourself. “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
B. BELIEVE the gospel “good news” that Jesus Christ died for your sins on the cross. …
C. CONFESS Jesus Christ as Lord.
The journey to heaven will not be dark, fearful, or lonesome. God will dispatch His angels at just the right time, and they’ll meet us just within the veil and carry us to the heights of His glory.
D. DO you have your passport to heaven? You cannot get in without it!
Sometimes True Stories
Admittedly, humility and the humbling of oneself is out of fashion in today’s world and seems unappealing to most of us. However, as Jonathan Edwards said, “We must view humility as one of the most essential things that characterizes true Christianity.”
Our perspective on humility can be radically changed if we will ponder and meditate on the greatest example of humility in history: Jesus Christ. By the very act of leaving heaven, coming to earth, and taking the form of man, he demonstrated an unfathomable humbling of himself. Throughout his life on earth, Jesus demonstrated a spirit of profound humility, saying that he came “not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). On his last night with the disciples, he took a towel and basin and washed their dirty feet (John 13:1–11), instructing them to follow his example of servanthood with one another (John 13:12–17).
Andrew Murray captures it well, “Christ is the humility of God embodied in human nature; the Eternal Love humbling itself, clothing itself in the garb of meekness and gentleness, to win and serve and save us.” Ed W. Thomas
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Reminders are all around us…
We have Calendar Pop-up Reminders on our phones and computers.
We have alarms that serve as reminders.
We have Post-It Notes and pocket notecards that can serve as reminders.
We can even get phone calls from friends or a service to remind us of a special day or appointment.
Facebook, Instagram and others can remind us of special dates, days, anniversaries and birthdays.
Some of us have Spouses and Office Assistants who remind us all the time of places we need to be, people we need to see and when.
Sometimes… we need a reminder of who Jesus is, what He has done (and continues to do), and the glory, majesty, power and authority that He has… that He deserves.
Sometimes… we need to be reminded of the cross… and all that it represents.
Sometimes… we need to be reminded of His Faith, Hope and Love. Marty Stubblefield
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In the 2025 World Happiness Report, the US fell to its lowest-ever ranking, coming in twenty-fourth among nations. (Israel, despite its ongoing war with Hamas and internal divisions, ranked far higher than we did.) We should not be surprised: anxiety, loneliness, and overdose deaths are all at all-time highs in the US. So, seeking happiness from happenings doesn’t seem to be a winning strategy. The good news is that there’s a far better way.
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Homeownership is a symbol of financial stability for most Americans—but for those living in states where the cost of living is higher, it might seem like they’re working solely to keep a roof over their heads.
The median home price nationally is $412,000, according to the Realtor.com February 2025 Monthly Housing Trends Report. Homeowners who purchase a home at that price point will need to work approximately 10 days each month to afford the mortgage payment—and that’s without factoring in any other expenses.
Quotes You Can Use
Don’t be discouraged when God delays the answers to your prayers. Dan Shock
Some people never grow up, they just grow old, become obstinate, arrogant, and think they are better and smarter than everyone else. As adults we are not grown up until we learn how to communicate with kindness, apologize when we are wrong, speak in truth, and accept responsibility without blaming others for our own shortcomings. Tony Ferguson
A vacant house invites intruders. Edgar Aponte
It is pride that causes the worldly to project their endeavors into the future, laying claim to the future with their lips. Remember the rich man who planned to build bigger barns? His sight was limited to his possessions, and Jesus called him a fool. Tony Ferguson
The gate of forgiveness is open to all who will call upon Him. Dan Shock
If I knew what God knows, I would agree with what God does.
Submit to the authority of Scripture. Edgar Aponte
Worry can be debilitating and no one is immune, the advice is simple, “if it is important enough to worry about, it is important enough to pray about.” Tony Ferguson
“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” Proverbs 4:7
I find it amazing how many people claim to be wise, isn’t it true that no fool ever confesses to being a fool? Most people think they possess intelligence when in reality it is not intelligence we should seek, but wisdom. The best perspective on wisdom and who is wise is found in James 3:13 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Some people talk to you in their free time, and some people free their time to talk to you. The difference is those who care and those who don’t. Wisdom is what you learn after you think you know it all.
“He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.” (Proverbs 2:7 NLT)
One of the definitions of “common sense” is sound judgment and good sense in practical matters. Someone who is levelheaded, prudent, and has the ability to display wisdom and insight in most situations.
Common sense is usually independent of specialized training or intellect. Unfortunately common sense is not very common in large parts of our society today even though it is one of the greatest gifts we can ever obtain. If you desire common sense, ask God to guide you in your daily decisions. He will be your shield for your life’s journey. Tony Ferguson
The uncommitted stand by and watch as the forces of darkness take over. Dan Shock
With great power comes great responsibility.
Following after emptiness only makes you empty. Dan Shock
Wisdom begins with understanding you are a student learning. Socrates
We must first understand that God is the “true source” of wisdom and understanding, and we must discipline ourselves to read scripture and study God’s word. We may not always know where we are going on life’s journey, but when we look back, we will see that God has been involved every step of the way. Tony Ferguson
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