A Winning Ticket 

“And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns.”
Philippians 1.6 ( TLB)

The National Lottery is often in the news. Winning sums range from a few million up to incredible amounts like £50 million or more. For the millions of people who buy tickets, the dream or hope, is to win one of these amazing jackpots, knowing it would transform their lives. It certainly would in the material sense, enabling them to buy the house, the car or holiday of their dreams. They may help other members of the family too and even give some away to good causes. The chances of winning the jackpot are incredibility low with the odds heavily stacked against you. But someone has to win and that’s the hope that keeps people buying tickets even though they may never win themselves.

No doubt some jackpot winners take advice and handle the vast sums of money sensibility, but we also read of big winners who spend foolishly and eventually end up broke again. Along the way they may also have shattered their family relationships, fallen out with friends, given up their job and got involved in heavy drinking, gambling or drugs. The problem is we just naturally associate material possessions with success in this material world, but are they? Material possessions can be a blessing or a curse, depending on our attitude to them. If you are one of the millions who buy a ticket every week, good luck to you.

But what if you were offered a guaranteed winning ticket in the lottery of life? Would you accept it knowing no one could take it from you? Even better, it’s yours completely free! Sound too good to be true? In a sense it does, but that is what is on offer for you from God.

What do you get with this free winning ticket? One of the greatest benefits is peace of mind. A unique peace that comes from knowing that this life and this world is not all there is. The certainty that God is for you and with you in all the struggles of this physical life, and in all the blessings that we enjoy along the way. Because God is not some miserable, judgmental being looking to catch you doing wrong. God, in the person of Jesus Christ paid the penalty for all our sins, whatever they are. Sin is not the problem, although the consequences of sin is. We may suffer for our own foolishness and stupidity, or that of others, but God never stops loving us individually and personally.

Your winning ticket also guarantees you eternal life. No lottery jackpot can compare with that! It also guarantees you access to God in prayer at any time, daily, weekly or in a crisis situation. What are the other benefits? Too many to list here but you can look forward to finding out about them.

No matter how rich or poor we may be, material possessions are never the key to real happiness. The only thing we will take with us from this life, when we die, is our relationship with God—a pearl beyond price, and our winning ticket in the lottery of life. When do you want to collect yours?

Prayer
Our loving Father, through Jesus Christ you have given us a winning ticket in the lottery of life, let us never doubt that we are safe in your hands for eternity, and help us to reflect in our lives the security and joy you give us.
Amen 

Study by Keith Hartrick

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About the Author:
Keith Hartrick is an Elder in Grace Communion Church – Leeds, and serves on the Church Council there.

Local Congregation:
Grace Communion – Leeds
Garden Village
Welfare Association Community Centre
Pendas Way
LEEDS LS15 8LE

Meeting Time:
Saturday 2PM

Local Congregational Contact:
Malcolm Arnold
Phone: 01484-312347
Email: malcolm701@googlemail.com