Tag: Jesus

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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!

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The Key Word

OCTOBER 20

MATTHEW 7:12_Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them…

Matthew 18:15 (KJV), “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”

Someone has trespassed into your life. What is the key word in this verse to keep you from falling into the gossip pit? Did you say alone? You got it!  The verse does not say spread the news around the whole neighborhood, or church. Deal with it between the two of you. Tell how you’ve been offended.

If private conversation has not resolved the problem you may need to take a couple of people with you to serve as witnesses. If that doesn’t work, Jesus says for the two of you to take the matter before your church leaders. If the devil has a stronghold when you and the offender talk together, talk separately with the church leaders: same leaders – same conversations. In neither of these cases are you advised to spread the offense outside of Jesus’ set boundaries. (Matthew 18:16-17)

Hopefully, a private conversation, without involving others, can resolve a personal offense. Often offenses are unintentional. You don’t always know how others may perceive what you say. 

Besides self-sacrifice, another essential to true love is to give your loved one the benefit of the doubt.

Talk about it.

PRAYER

Holy Jesus, Help me learn to speak carefully and not offend others. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                 

Christ set boundaries for offenses – I will not cross them!

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Wrong!

OCTOBER 19

MATTHEW 7:12_Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them…

What’s in your heart is seen in your actions and heard in your words. If you find any kind of pleasure in hurting people, your heart is showing. If you receive some kind of power surge in causing someone to cry, your heart is showing.

Let’s use the adulteress woman we previously studied as an example. Is it your duty to spread the news around as to what she had done—caught in the act, no less? After all, everyone needs to know. And it’s true, so it’s not gossip, right? Wrong! If it’s true keeps it from being slander, but does not keep it from being gossip.

Gossip spreads personal news, which may be factual and true, with someone who is not involved in the issue. Gossip spreads harmful information with the objective of exposing someone else’s failures.

If there is a situation which needs to be discussed, all involved should be present for the discussion. Behind the back discussions are never good. Regardless of truth or facts, motives and intentions are something the accused should be allowed to speak for themselves. 

As gossip spreads, generally the more it is exaggerated.  

PRAYER

Merciful Jesus, Help me know when to keep my mouth shut! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                 

Christ knows the true facts – I don’t need to tell others!