Dreaming About Trains

As I journeyed through the East Coast, I had a dream.  I dreamed about a passenger train, carrying many people in each cabin.  The train was destined to a single end point, with no stops along the way.

The people on the train were each from different places and walks of life.  Everyone trusted the train engineer to make sure the train arrived at the destination.  At times, some of people were behaving in a questionable manner, but they remained on the train going to the same destination as the other people who always followed the onboard rules of the train.  The only thing that prevented a passenger from arriving at the destination was getting off the train.  As long as the passengers remained on board the train, and trusted the engineer, they would arrive at the destination.

I feel like this dream illustrates grace in a way I haven't thought about before.  A person must accept Christ as their savior in order to be assured a path to heaven.  To remain on the path, we must trust in Christ as our savior and be repentant.  Acts of sin alone do not boot us off the path, unless we are unrepentant.

Get a ticket for that train that leads to heaven.  Stay on the train.  Help others to stay on the train and not jump off the train.  What a reward there is waiting for us!

"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death." ~Romans 8:1-2 (NLT)

A Storm Approaches... Are You Ready?

Have you even stood outside and watched a storm front come in?  There is something ominous about standing in the sun, but seeing the dark clouds roll in.  This is the image I sense as I look toward the future.  Somehow, it seems we are gearing up for a great spiritual battle.  Does anyone else sense this oppressive feeling of pending doom?

Maybe I am being negative, but I just want to send a word of warning that as a church body, we need to get ready for a storm and get prepared.  If we are caught in the cross-wind of this spiritual storm unprepared, we could be hurt.

And just how are we to be preparing?  Paul tells us very specific advice about this in the book of Ephesians.

"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.  Then after the battle you will still be standing firm." ~Ephesians 6:10-13 NLT

Paul describes all the components of the armor, but places a special emphasis on praying.  We are to pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  We are to stay alert and be persistent in our prayers for believers everywhere (verse 18).  Paul was in chains sitting in prison when he wrote these words.  We have been called to pray.  If we are unified in our praying for one another, perhaps this pending storm will blow over.

I am praying.  Will you join me in praying for our leaders?