In life, there is only one way we ought to be living and that is for Christ the Lord. Any other way will only cause us to lose our focus and fall off course. Things we do outside God’s will is only distracting us from our one true goal and that is to still be saved when we die and go to heaven one day. This is because Jesus said, 2“he that endureth to the end shall be saved,” (Matthew 10:22) not those that live temporarily for God. He also taught that in this life there are two paths. One path is leading us to destruction, which is the ways of this world, and the other to eternal life, which is the ways of God. So how can we know which path we are on? Well, there is only way and that is through seeking God each day. We do this by studying the Bible and praying often. Then, we will know if we are in sin or not, and if so, our heart will be convicted and lead us to repent and get right with God. Please know that Jesus taught us how to live our lives and be on His path. So we ought to listen to what He says and obey Him. Jesus said, 1“enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13,14) So we know that many people are going through the wade gate and few are entering in the straight gate. This is because the majority of people don’t care about God’s ways and would rather live for their own worldly pleasures instead. However, this will only bite them in the but one day, when they eventually die and then have to face God in judgement.
The ways of God are made clear to those that desire to follow Him until the end. Knowing that many don’t, we know that such people that do are God’s elect. They love Him more than earthly treasures and fleshly desires. For this reason do they seek the Lord. In doing this, they obey the Lord and His commands. Jesus said, 1“seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7,8) These are people that truly seek the Lord and love Him with their whole hearts. Obeying His commands bring them the greatest joy of all. For this reason they are able to walk apart from the lusts of the flesh, and instead walk in His holiness. Doing this brings God’s presence in their lives and they are built up in His armor. No longer is the enemy able to strike them down because of temptation, for the Lord is holding them up and protecting them. Now, certainly they may put their guard down at times, while the tempter comes in and gets them while they are week. However, this causes guilt to flow deep in their hearts and, therefore, they run back to Jesus for healing and forgiveness. If we desire to be saved, then Jesus needs to be a part of our lives. Without Him, we will continue to fall and not find ways to escape our addictions. By doing this, we will walk through the broad gate to destruction and hell. However, with God leading us, we are on His straight and narrow path, which leads to life eternal in heaven. If you desire to live for the Lord, then He will help you. However, you must decide today to follow Jesus for tomorrow is not promised.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we, as believers, will focus on what is most important in life and that is You and Your ways. For Your ways are higher and will lead us to choose what is right and away from the dangers of this world. So may our thoughts be in line with Your ways and not our own any longer. Keep our hands apart from what is wicked and connected to the right people, that You may purify them through Your blood. There are ways that we can do what is right in this fallen and dark world, but we need the Holy Spirit to lead us in order to do so. Therefore, shine down upon us now and cast out every bit of darkness that is left inside of us. You know our bad habits and addictions that are keeping us apart from You and we wish that You would distinguish those things now. We will never do what is right unless You cleanse us. Our desires, Lord, is to have You make a home inside our hearts, that we may walk in Your holiness. We are convicted because of sins and no longer desire to in walk in the ways of the flesh, but in Your light alone. It is my desire to be saved, oh Lord, so take me as I am now and put me on Your path. Then, can I be reborn in the Spirit and be used for Your kingdom. I know that this means giving up some things that I am holding onto, but I am ready now to give up these things, in order to order to serve You completely, my King. Lord, take every ounce of fear from my heart, that I may walk in faith. Take all my guilt and shame and put it upon your shoulders, that I may experience Your peace and joy. I no longer wish to be burdened by the bondage of sin in my life, but to be lifted up in Your holiness. I wish to be made new through Your blood, which was spilt for us on the cross. So come Lord, and cleanse me of all my sin. Make me whole again. I believe in You Lord. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Matthew 7:7-27 (KJV)
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
2Matthew 10:1-24 (KJV)
1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.
13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
