• If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

We live in a very materialistic world. It seems that importance is based on power, position and financial accumulation. Value is judged by where you live, what you drive and where you work. In the end, he who has the most toys wins.

As of the fourth quarter of 2024, Americans collectively hold $1.211 trillion in credit card debt, which is a record high. This represents a significant increase from the pre-pandemic record of $927 billion in Q4 2019, a rise of $284 billion. Last year, Americans spent $3.2 trillion on their credit cards.

Once, cash was king, but now it is credit, because you don’t have to pay for it immediately when you spend it. This allows people to spend beyond their means to get what they want. Only 16% of all transactions are paid for in cash.

The world largely operates on credit. People get dressed in clothes they haven’t paid for and drive cars that aren’t paid for, all to arrive at a job. They work to pay for those clothes and cars, yet their homes often sit vacant all day because they can’t genuinely afford to live in them – all often to impress others.

As I recently stood in line to check out a purchase, I saw the sign that said, “No Cash Accepted.”

Contrast all of that to the admission price to get into heaven.

If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, then you will be saved. No cash, power or position will get you in.

Heaven is a cashless place and credit cards aren’t accepted either.

Romans 10:9 outlines a two-part condition for salvation:

• a public confession of faith in Jesus as Lord and
• a genuine, heartfelt belief in the resurrection.

Confessing Jesus as Lord acknowledges his authority and divinity, while believing in the resurrection recognizes the central truth of the gospel.

The relationship is ultimately personal between you and God. It doesn’t matter who you were or what you had; what truly matters is whose you are, and for this admission, no cash is accepted.

by John Grant
used by permission

You Can Have it Too!
If you’re reading this and have yet to invite Jesus to be your Savior, there will never be a better day than today. There’s no magic in any particular words, but if God is speaking to you, don’t wait. Don’t harden your heart one more time.

If there’s unforgiveness in your heart, deal with it. Don’t wait. You can walk in freedom and it’s wonderful. Ask God to show you if there’s anything you need to deal with and then ask Him for the courage to deal with it. He’ll give it to you. He is always faithful.

FURTHER READING

• How to Know God Personally
• Forgiving Ourselves & Others
• Testimonials

The post No Cash Accepted can be found at Thoughts about God.

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:23-24 (NLT)

In life, we are faced with many challenges that test our faith. It is so easy to get bombarded by what we see. It becomes a constant battle, almost like a game of tug-of- war, to keep the faith our faith intact.

In our reference scripture, we find the father of the little boy asking God to help him to believe. I applaud his momentary weakness. If we are going to experience breakthrough in our lives we must be willing to admit we need help. It is not our job to keep it all together. It is our job to trust in a God that never fails us.

Today, I challenge you to take a moment and pour your heart out to God. Express your weaknesses before Him. Ask for the help that you need to go on. You are not required to carry the weight of the world upon your shoulders. He is more than able to bear every burden. He is concerned about what concerns you. He is concerned about those very issues that weigh heavily on your heart. It is time to make an exchange. Will you?

Lord as the Father of the little boy prayed, I believe, but help my unbelief!  At times, it is hard for me to believe what I don’t see, but You said in Your Word that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, whatever we ask will be done for us, if we ask according to Your will.  Today, I stand on Your Word, trusting that You will perform with Your Hands what You have promised. I trust that You will work all things together for my good. I trust that You care for me and about what concerns me. I trust that You are already at work on my behalf. In Jesus’ name Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• Don’t Be Afraid, Just Believe – by Rich Vega

• Three Things to Believe Today  by Roy Lessin

• Anything is Possible – A Devotional by Bill Bright

The post Help Me Believe can be found at Thoughts about God.