Secure Your Ticket - a lesson by Reverend Dr. Raymond Smith
I was at the Hot Summer Nights at the Concord Pavilion. It was a packed house with over 5000 thousand people there. The show was off the hook: Monica, Brandy, Ashanti, JaRule, and others. I saw people from the past, the present and the future! But you know what we all had in common, we all had a ticket.
Some bought their tickets online, some went to the ticket window earlier that morning, some went to the Box Office that same night right before the show. Others won their tickets or were given them as gifts. Some were even treated as V.I.P.’s by either the entertainers themselves or their managers and/or employees.
But you had a ticket to get in.
The same goes for the Kingdom of God. Entry isn't based on who you know or where you're from — it’s about what you’ve received, and how you’ve responded to the call of salvation and transformation. The ticket, therefore, is YOUR SALVATION – and it is sealed by the Holy Spirit. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)
Your Mouth Is a Mirror of Your Maturity
God’s got a way of getting your attention — sometimes through a sermon, sometimes through a struggle, but always with a purpose. That’s why Paul warns us in Ephesians 4:29, " Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear."
Words carry weight. They reveal your heart. That’s why Paul also tells us not to grieve the Spirit — your words matter because your witness matters.
This isn’t just about speech; it’s about the spirit behind the speech. Because, truth be told, what goes around really does come around — and it seems to come around even quicker these days, doesn’t it? So, when you feel anger rise, the Word says, "Be angry, and yet do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26) because God is using even that moment to test the faith He’s deposited in you.
Do you really want to make the Creator of the world upset over something you could’ve surrendered to Him? Let’s be real; you’ve been sealed, child of God. Protected. Set apart. Kept. Filled. Reserved. You’re a V.I.P. in the Kingdom. You were not to made to walk around like the world. You were made to represent Heaven wherever you go, not because of who you are, but because of Whose you are.
Becoming Who God Called You to Be
God didn’t save you just for you to sit. He saved you to serve and become. The blueprint is right in His Word in Ephesians 4:29: “But only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” That’s our daily call: to be builders, encouragers, carriers of grace. And the fruit we bear? It’s the real logo of the believer according to Galatians 5:22–23: Love, Joy, Peace. That’s right — we’ve got a spiritual brand that should be seen and felt before we ever open our mouths.
The Lord is still hiring for His vineyard, and He’s not just looking for warm bodies — He’s calling for willing soldiers. People who don't just clock in on Sundays, but labor in love every day. Because when God is close enough to you — you won’t be able to sit still. When the Spirit is alive in you, you’ll serve even when it's inconvenient. You’ll forgive when it hurts. You’ll pray for the ones who tore you down, bless the ones who stole from you, and serve people who could never repay you. Why? Because the Spirit inside of you compels you. Because that’s what Jesus did — and does — in you, according to Ephesians 4:32. And let’s be honest, sometimes it feels like we’re working with folks who are just triflin’ — but even then, God gets the glory through your perseverance and love.
This isn’t optional, it’s essential. God is on His way back. Can’t you feel it in the air? The signs are all around us. So, ask yourself: Are you kind because people are kind to you, or because Jesus lives in you? That’s the difference. WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) isn’t just a wristband — it’s a lifestyle. And remember His words in John 12:32: “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Me.” So let your life do the lifting. Be the reason someone sees Jesus clearly.
Practical Applications for Daily Victorious Living
1. Don't Give Others Your Power: Proverbs 25:28 teaches us that “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a person who has no self-control over his spirit.”
There will always be someone trying to push your buttons, but you decide what they control. When you allow someone else's actions or words to dictate your response, you hand them the keys to your peace, your joy, and your spiritual focus.
Set spiritual boundaries. Everyone doesn’t get access to your emotions. Respond with wisdom, not wounds. Ask yourself: “Is this response worth the cost of my witness?”
2. Don't Give Up Your Peace: Jesus said in John 14:27: “Peace I leave you, My peace I give you... Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.”
Peace isn’t the absence of chaos, it’s the presence of Christ in the middle of it. You can walk through fire and still not be burned when you keep your eyes on the One who calms storms.
Start your day in God’s Word and let peace be your posture, not your backup plan. When conflict arises, take a praise break instead of a petty break. Remember: Peace is a fruit of the Spirit, not a reaction of the flesh.
3. Don't Give Up Your Ticket: Philippians 3:20 tells us “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Your ticket — your salvation, your purpose, your identity in Christ — was bought with the blood of Jesus. Don’t trade it for temporary emotions, petty arguments, or worldly approval.
Live every day like you're already seated in Heavenly places. Stay ready because Jesus is coming back, and your life should reflect that expectation. Protect your testimony. Stay grateful for grace. Walk in your calling.
One Final Thought
Let no corrupt word come out of your mouth. Guard your speech. Control your tongue, because you’re the one holding the mic. Nobody else controls what comes out but you. And one of the best ways to guard your speech? Think twice and speak once. Words have weight. They either build bridges or they burn them. And the truth is, the reason many of us struggle with what we say is because deep down, we haven’t fully grasped the depth of God’s love and trust in us. The gift of God — eternal life — is not just some abstract idea; it’s a promise with power.
And take note, God is looking and booking. Heaven is taking notes. You’ve seen or heard those commercials asking, “What’s in your wallet?” Today I’m asking you: What’s in your spiritual wallet? Are you storing up bitterness or blessings? Are you investing in faith or in fear? Because your ticket is spiritual, and God is checking for more than just church attendance. He’s looking at your heart.
And don’t think for a second that anything is going unnoticed. God has a video camera that don’t need no batteries. It doesn’t need Wi-Fi. It doesn’t even need a cameraman. And one day, that video will play back every aspect of your life. Not to shame you, but to reveal the fruit of your faith. Because God never forgets your contribution.
So, secure your ticket. Guard your words. Build others up. Forgive like you’ve been forgiven. And live every day like you're already a citizen of Heaven — because if Christ is in you, you already are.
Discover the Transformative Work of Reverend Dr. Raymond Smith
Reverend Dr. Raymond Smith is a Christian Psychologist and Counselor whose passion lies in guiding individuals through life’s challenges with wisdom, compassion, and faith. With a powerful blend of academic expertise and spiritual insight, Reverend Dr. Raymond Smith has become a sought-after motivational speaker, known for inspiring positive change and deep personal growth. Learn More
As a Christian Minister, Reverend Dr. Raymond Smith holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a Doctorate in Christian Counseling with an Emphasis on Psychology. He currently serves as the Program Director of NovaPaths THP, where he continues to impact lives through leadership, mentorship, and transformative outreach.
One of his most impactful offerings is the signature training session, "If You Can Change Your Mind, You Can Change Your Life". This one-hour session (English only) is designed to help individuals reframe their thinking, embrace personal development, and step into a renewed sense of purpose. Learn More and Register Here
Whether you're seeking encouragement, clarity, or a fresh start, Reverend Dr. Raymond Smith offers the tools and guidance to help you move forward. Discover how faith and psychology can work hand in hand to empower lasting transformation. Learn More
Experience a New Life in Jesus Christ
If you have not yet experienced the life-changing power of a relationship with Christ, we invite you to open your heart to Him today. Embrace the truth of His resurrection and embark on a journey of transformation, guided by His presence and fueled by His mission of love and redemption.
The Bible teaches us in Romans 10:9-10 that "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation."
Do it today and start enjoying a new life in Jesus Christ.
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Scriptures for this Bible Study taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), © 2025 The Lockman Foundation. Used with permission. www.Bible.com
"Secure Your Ticket" is a Christian Bible Teaching presented by Second Ridge Ministries
05/05/2025 | © 2025 Second Ridge Ministries. All Rights Reserved.
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