Tag: Bible

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Hard Labor

OCTOBER 25

MATTHEW 7:13_and many there be which go in thereat.

There are reasons many enter at the wide gate: tempting, accessible, and allows for baggage. It’s easy—all you have to do is follow the crowd, which requires neither intelligence (no decisions to make), nor courage (won’t be standing alone). 

It takes little strength to do what’s wrong: just follow your natural instincts. There is no submission to rules or regulations: simply do what pleases you, and what pleases the people with you. There is no accountability for your actions: personal responsibility will not be following you around. In short: No rules, No standards, No boundaries. Sounds exactly like the Land of Cocagne in the story of Pinocchio. 

Pinocchio made the decision to become responsible and obedient. There was a reward for that: he would become a real boy. But when his friend, Candlewick, described the carefree land of excessive pleasures, the temptation was too strong (for a heart without Jesus). Rather than becoming a real boy, he became a real donkey—and all the hard labor that goes with it.

In The Merchant of Venice, 1600, Shakespeare said it like this, “All that glitters is not gold.”

Very seldom is the easy way the best way.

PRAYER

Merciful Jesus, Help me follow Your way—not the easy way. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.        

Christ wants me to be bold and courageous—I will be!

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Plenty of Room

OCTOBER 24

MATTHEW 7:13_for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction…

Jesus describes the second gate as wide and broad. You won’t need any help finding that gate. It’s wide, how could you miss it? When you reach an accountable age, your eyes open to two gates; you’ll see the widest first. The size makes it visible and more tempting. 

Because of its size, you see something else: how easy it is to enter. The wideness allows for all kinds of baggage. 

Besides the wideness, the way is broad. If in the baggage you brought along some pride, there would be plenty of room to add to it—until it becomes arrogance. If you brought just a little bit of a grudge, there would be plenty of room to add to it—until it becomes hate and bitterness.

Jesus’ words are plain: this broad way leads to destruction. Count on it! Psalm 27:11 (KJV), “Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.”

Make the choice in your youth to enter the strait gate. It will save you numerous regrets in your adult life.        

PRAYER

God Who Saves, Please save me from entering the destructive path of life. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.        

Christ saves me from the wide gate—I will follow Him!

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A Prerequisite

OCTOBER 23

MATTHEW 7:13_Enter ye in at the strait gate…

Jesus teaches there are two ways to enter this trip called life. Each entrance has a gate.

Jesus says enter at the strait gate—a path designed to lead you to treasure—an abundance of treasure.

These are treasures only God can give—far more valuable than anything the world offers. Things like: 1 Timothy 6:6 (KJV), “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Stop and think what life would be like if you were content. That means you would be satisfied—not constantly wanting, changing, or re-arranging. It does not mean you shouldn’t ask, seek, or knock for improvements. It simply means you know the peace that comes with being satisfied. 

Notice a prerequisite to this kind of contentment: godliness. When you enter at the strait gate, you will find godliness before you find contentment.

Psalm 5:8 (KJV), “Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.” 

Psalm 31:3 (KJV), “For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.”

Psalm 25:4 (KJV), “Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.”

Ask God to help you enter at the strait gate.

PRAYER

Righteous Lord, I don’t know how to find the strait gate, but I can follow You. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                 

Christ leads to the strait gate—I will follow Him!

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Good and Better

OCTOBER 22

MATTHEW 7:13_Enter ye in at the strait gate…

Your world entry: you are born.

Your adulthood entry: you make decisions for yourself.

There is always some form of authority—first and foremost God’s. When parents no longer pick you up, take you places, or make decisions for you. It is time to spread your wings and fly!

Jesus wants you to enter adult life through the strait gate. You’ve heard about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? God has something that good—and better! Through the strait gate!

Jesus has not quite completed His sermon, but everything He has taught thus far leads to the right path. By the time you reach the end of this sermon, you will have uncovered an extremely large treasure (and this is only three chapters out of the entire Bible!).

John 14:2-5 (KJV), “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?”

Thomas wasn’t sure about the way. Jesus’ says it’s the strait gate!

PRAYER

Eternal God, I want to enter in at the strait gate. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                 

Christ is the strait gate—He will lead me!

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Restore – Not Destroy

OCTOBER 21

MATTHEW 7:12_for this is the law and the prophets.

Put this principle in simple terminology. Think about how you want to be treated, then treat everyone else that way. Think about how you want to be talked to, and talk that way to everyone else.

As a salty-lit-up disciple you want to restore broken people and relationships—not destroy them. You want to shed light in a dark place—not make it darker.

The apostle Paul says it very well in Galatians 6:1 (KJV), “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

We can be too indulging and too enabling with people, but we can’t be too kind or too gentle.

Matthew 7:12 has long been known as The Golden Rule. Jesus says this rule is the fulfillment of the Law. Paul also says it in Galatians 5:14 (KJV),“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Jesus taught the radical 180 degree turn when it came to the Law. However, He also taught that His radical way was not intended to destroy the Law or the prophets.

The very basis of the Law is love—which is why Jesus fulfills it. 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, Let me treat others with compassion and gentleness. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                 

Christ knows the Law is based on love—He fulfills it!