It ain't easy being a teen... and Jackie O. understands that well. Take her sound, faith-filled advice as we walk with God together.
The other day I was shopping at a popular store and a poster advertisement caught my eye. It said, “Get Everything and Pay Nothing!” A beautiful girl holding shopping bags was on the ad.
I thought how does that really work? How do you get everything and pay nothing? I knew the answer. It was one of those sales gimmicks aimed at young women, to tempt us into purchasing clothes by using credit unwisely.
The ad was an appeal to satisfy instant gratification. The suggested “guarantee” was that you can have anything you want without worrying about the payment which will eventually be required.
No matter what promise a store makes you, if you walk out the door with their merchandise, there will be a bill coming. When you sign your name to a sales slip, you agree (whether now or later) to pay the full amount due, according to the store’s terms.
The definition of “debtor” is to be captive or prisoner to unfavorable conditions. While to be “free” means there is no charge and no cost.
There is someone who makes a promise for that which is free and His promise is faithful and true.
With Jesus, we get everything and pay nothing because He has already paid the price.
God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. (1 Cor. 7:23, NLT)
Throughout your lifetime many tempting advertisements will come your way. Use Isaiah 55:11 as a guide for all you do, knowing that God’s promises are the ones to trust:
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (NKJV)
At the Cross the only fine print we read is the declaration: How priceless is your unfailing love! (Ps. 36:7)
Jesus died for you and me---so that we can truly comprehend the meaning of the word FREE.
Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah… we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! Eph.1:7-8 (The Message)
Find Peace with God!
~ Jackie O.