The Journey Continues: My last column

The column, The Journey Continues, celebrates six years this month. I have written about equality, trust, respect, service to the Nation, national holidays, people, places — but always with a Biblical reference. I have had the privilege of interviewing a variety of folks, both well-known and unknown to the general readership. I always have asked them to share their favorite verse (life verse) from the Bible.

I am proud that I did not miss submitting a column every Sunday for the entire period; even when living in upstate New York for two years while caring for our grandchild. Guest Columnists helped me many times — thank you all. I won’t list names because I might leave one of you out!

Recent changes in my circumstances, confirmed by prayer and the Holy Spirit, have led me to the decision to stop writing the column. If I may use “ole Army” jargon, I am “taking my pack off!” Therefore, this is my last column… it is time to pass on to other writers the privilege of Lifting UP the Lord to you.

I am not leaving town — you can find me either at First Baptist Church on McCarty Lane or at Redwood Baptist Church in Rancho Vista. Ministry is for every believer — Jesus Christ has called us to follow Him; and to love one another as God has loved us. We must all continue to be faithful and to be available to serve whenever the small voice of the Holy Spirit whispers in our ear “You can do that.”

In my mind the most important information I can leave with you is how to become a Believer (salvation). One way to Salvation is found in St. Paul’s Roman letter, which Christians today call The Roman Road.

The Roman Road

Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Sin separates us from God, and there are no such thing as ‘big’ or ‘little’ sins; sin is sin. The only unforgivable sin is refusal of the Holy Spirit and thus of God.)

Who paid the price of sin?: Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinner, Christ died for us”

God’s grace and love came to earth as a Gift: Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is spiritual death, but the gift of God is Eternal Life in Jesus Christ our Lord”

God wants you to accept the Gift You cannot work for it: Romans 10:9-10, 13 “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you WILL BE SAVED. For it is with your heart that you believe and are jus tified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved…Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

St. Paul kept it simple; yet it makes a profound difference in a person’s life when a prayer asking for salvation reaches the ear of the Holy God !

It must be YOU asking God; and must also be you confession an understanding of what sin is and how you have sinned in your life… Must be YOU understanding what a great gift God gave when his son, Jesus Christ died for all OUR sins and that YOU now confess Jesus as your Savior and guide through the Holy Spirit. It is up to YOU; but if you desire to follow Christ, then pray a prayer like this: Dear Jesus, I recognize that I am a sinner and that I need to come to Christ. I know that Christ died on the cross for me to give me eternal salvation. Now I receive you as my personal Lord and Savior of my life. Thank you for hearing my prayer. Amen

Here is my email and phone number: anytime I can help with spiritual questions, I am available.

Cell:512-216-9519 I use this email: mrsjudylanning@gmail.com. Peace goes with you. Brother Jim Lanning