"What's Your Chances"

"Because we're in a recession, people love to have a rescue fantasy," human behavior expert Dr. Wendy Walsh told CNN in April when the Mega Millions jackpot hit $656 million. "We have the Cinderella complex -- there's a fairy godmother who's going to come in and save us."

We've all heard the statistics. Your chances of winning the Powerball jackpot are about one in 175.2 million. But people keep playing -- most likely because the thought of winning $550 million is much more fun than the thought of being attacked by a shark (one in 11.5 million), or dying from a bee sting (one in 6.1 million).

"It doesn't faze them because they're in love with hope," Dr. Walsh said.

People are in love with hope! Hope gives us the strength to persevere each day. The Hebrew writer tells us in 6:19 that "hope is the anchor of the soul." But...for what are we hoping.

We have an alternative to the Powerball jackpot. The odds of winning are entirely up to you. Jesus said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt. 6:19-21) Jesus is preparing a place for you! (John 14:2)

Let's make our investments in heaven and not earth. The odds of winning are excellent. It's up to you.