"Free Tickets!"

     Unlike many people, I do NOT have the proverbial "Bucket List!"  I DO however, have a "Kick the Bucket List!" What I mean by this, is that, instead of having a list of things that I want to see, do, accomplish, etc. (wants of my "flesh"), I have one desire on my list, being that, whenever I appear in 'Heaven,' at 'The Judgment Seat of Christ' (where 'Believers' give an account of how they lived after they got "saved"), upon my physical death, I want to have done HIS will, destiny, plan (whatever HE has preordained) with my life as a sojourner down here on earth (Ro. 12:1+2).  Please, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with having a "Bucket List!"  However, as I've grown "in The Lord," and changed, I personally desire less and less all the time to fulfill the wants and desires of my "flesh" (unregenerated nature).  The closer I get to Jesus, the more I want to please, honor, glorify, etc. HIM! HE (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) created me, and gives me life, so, it just seems right that I should be motivated to discover and DO whatever HE predestined me to do - ALL for HIS honor and glory, and not mine!  'The Word' says that God would rather 'HIS' children OBEY HIM with the main matters/decisions in life rather than for us to DO LOTS of "sacrifices" trying to suffice HIM because we did not obey HIM (1 Sam. 15:22)!  So, I am learning to surrender to HIM, HIS WORD, HIS will, and to specifically obey HIM with the BIG deals in life, NOW, as a middle aged adult, probably because I've failed with this many times, and have reaped the results of my past failures!  Due to selfishness, spiritual immaturity, carnality, etc., when I was younger, I would choose to do what I "THOUGHT" was "RIGHT" for me (leaning to my own understanding) mentally,  instead of trusting and obeying 'The Bible's' instructions, which would end up with me having to deal with the ramifications of my actions (Gal.6:7)!  Then, I would TRY to make up for my disobedience by doing lots of "spiritual" activities.  I DID love HIM, but, I needed to learn (the hard way) to TRUST and OBEY HIM, and to quit trying to figure everything out concerning my life with my limited understanding, trying to pilot my life's plane by my intellect instead of using God's compass and manual!  I crashed and burned many times before I even began to "GET IT!"  Thankfully, HE is a loving, merciful, gracious, etc. Father!  So, you see, if I were to have a "Bucket List," it would be ME, once again, planning my life rather than letting HIM have HIS will and way with it!  This doesn't mean that I don't have desires that I hope line up with HIS plan for my life's journey, because I DO!  'HIS WORD' tells me that HE will grant me the desires of my heart (I think that I know what I want, but, only HE really knows my deepest heart's desires), WHEN I delight in living my life according to HIS ways (Psalms 37:4, Jer. 17:9+10)!  Believe me, if I were not a 'Christian' ("saved,""born-again"), I would be "rock'n" the "Bucket List," like "none of your business!" Hehehe!!  "Worldly" accomplishments are enjoyable, but, temporary, whereas, "spiritual" fulfillment of desires shall last eternally! I'm continually trying to choose to LET my "spiritual nature" override my "natural nature," and handle the situation the way that I believe a "spiritual" person should.  The "old" me has a million "wants," dreams, etc., but, 'The Word, and 'The Holy Spirit' speak to my spirit and soul, and remind, encourage, exhort, teach, etc. me, that I can't go wrong living HIS way, that the first shall be last, and the last shall be first, after this brief, temporary mortal existence, and many other truths!!  I KNOW that God shall honor me one day in eternity IF I'll honor, obey, glorify, etc. HIM now! Is it easy to do? NO, absolutely not!  It is not easy to be in the minority that is going the opposite direction of the majority, and upstream at that!  But, I know that I know that I cannot lose living life according to the teachings of the good, ole '1611 King Jame's Bible!'  My "flesh" fights me by using all sorts of things to try to get me to doubt my choices, but, 'Christ' in me (the hope of glory) is faithful to comfort and remind me that I am "SPOT ON," and shall be rewarded in 'Heaven!'  Presently, evil forces constantly come against me, in various ways, such as, putting ungodly thoughts on my mind, etc., but, 'The Spirit' reminds my spirit of 'The Truth' of 'HIS WORD," and helps me to press on in Jesus' name, in the VICTORY that 'HE' has provide me!  As  I pray about the subject of this 'blog' entry, and so many other things, 'HE' continues to minister to me!  And, as I continue to read, study, meditate, and apply 'HIS WORD' to my life's walk, 'HE' increases my 'FAITH' (Ro. 10:17)!  As I go through tests, trials, temptations, etc., 'HE' causes me to grow "spiritually," and "get" better at casting out fear, doubt, unbelief, and other "worldly" and/or "demonic" spirits, etc. The more that 'HE' gets me through, the more confidence I gain in 'HIM,' and many their wonderful happenings take place inside me, and in the "spiritual" realm, that I am unable to adequately express in written form!  'GOD' is simply a phenomenal 'Father!'  After all, 'HE' is, pure love, sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, omni present, immutable, and on and on...!!  I wholeheartedly believe that 'HE' knows precisely what my "deepest" heart's desires are, therefore, I am more secure in knowing that I am being "Biblically" wise in having a "Kick the Bucket List" instead of a "Bucket List!" Ha!  I'm not knocking any of you who have a "Bucket List," and I truly hope that God lets you experience its fulfillment!  Based on 'The Bible,' my "Kick the Bucket List" shall, be fulfilled in 'HIS' perfect timing and way, be enjoyed and honor 'HIM' in the "here and now," and, be rewarded and last throughout eternity, etc. (only 'God' knows the extent of the blessings from the denial of my "flesh," and obedience to 'HIM,' etc.)!  Hopefully and prayerfully, somehow, 'HE'S also using my life to point other people to believing in 'Jesus'!  'HE' desires for everybody to be "SAVED," and that 'HIS' kids be soul winners!  Being "fishers of men" is WISE (Prov. 11:30), therefore, I think that being a 'SOUL WINNER' absolutely belongs on my list!  Do not cry for me when I "kick the bucket" ( actually on my list)!  Please, DO meet me in 'Heaven!'  JESUS has provided "FREE TICKETS" for ALL (Ro. 10:9+10, John 3:16)!!