Matthew 7:13-14 Which Way?

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

The question we ALL must ask ourselves daily is "what road are we traveling on?" When we arise each morning, which gate have we set our minds and heart on to enter in?

In this text, Jesus gives us a description of 2 gates or road that are daily and often entered into and traveled by humanity. One is described as the "narrow gate" and the other is described as the "wide gate."

In this life we are given choices, including the path in which we will take in this life and life eternal.

In Jesus' description of these 2 gates, He puts in a conjunction called "but"to join together and show the connection between vs #13 and 14.

Yes, there are 2 gates to enter in or 2 roads to travel, "BUT" only one leads to life everlasting with God the Father in heaven and very few travel it.

The narrow or the wide? Which have you chosen to enter in? Which have you chosen to travel on today? One leads us into unity with God through Christ Jesus and the other leads us to a place of separation from God.

There is no in between path in life. We all are on one or the other.

We all are either sheeps who follow Christ or goats who have gone astray, or, we are either wheat that can be used for many different purpose by God in His kingdom or we are tears that comes along and choke the life out of what it attaches itself to. We are either in a relationship with God or out of relations with God. 

No, there is no middle ground where salvation is concerned. We are either connected or disconnected where our relationship with God is concerned.

Which gate have purposed in your heart to enter in on today?

In the wide gate there are no limits, no restrictions, free for all, do and say whatever pleases you, live how you want to, eat, drink and be merry.

On the other hand, the narrow gates has requirements called "faith, self denial, obedience, prayer, submission to God's authority, reverence and honor for God and His Word."

Indeed there is a difference in the 2 paths. Self sufficient or God dependent!

I leave you with this thought:Whatever your choice, remember, that one leads to a path of eternal life with God and the other leads to death which is separation from God in eternity.

My prayer for you and my urgent plea to you on today is that you choose wisely for your life now and in the future depends upon your daily choices.

God bless.

Debra

Ephesians 6:1-4 Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

Ephesians 6:1-4 - CHILDREN: obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise, 3 “so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

FATHERS: 4- do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

MOTHERS:Proverbs 22:6-Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.  Will they stray? Many do, but they will return if the seed (word of god)has been planted in their hearts over the years.

Through faith in God and by honoring His Word, godly mothers, we have the opportunity to have great influence on our children and in the way we train them.  

As mothers, we spend more time with our children and we are indeed a big influence on what they say, do, think, how they act and what they believe. If we do our part, God will do the rest.

The call today is obedience on all fronts. Mother, Father and children have a responsibility to each other and most of all, to God.

When King Saul disobeyed God, this is what the Prophet Samuel said to him in 1 Samuel 15:22- “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Obedience is better than sacrifice,  a listening ear than the fat of rams.

Remember: God is not so much concern about what we have to give or what we can do or how well we can do it. No! He is concerned about our obedience to what He has commanded of us. It’s the heart of the matter.

John 14:23-Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

Obedience is better than sacrifice says the Lord.

God bless.

Debra

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 Saying & Doing

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 - If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up, 5 does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; 6 rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they shall fail; if there are tongues, they shall cease; and if there is knowledge, it shall vanish.

Talk is cheap! Love is an action word. Where "love" is concerned, action speaks louder than words. Saying and doing must go hand in hand. There is no way for one to exist without the other.

The Apostle Paul reminds us invs#1-4 that even if we have the gift of speaking all human languages and of angels, or could prophesy,  understand all secrets and knowledge, have faith that moved mountains or gave away all that we own, including ourselves to be burned, we would still have benefited nothing for without love all of these things means nothing. 

Saying and doing are like hands and gloves. The 2 need each other.

I am reminded of a story of the greatest example of love that was displayed for the entire world to see over 2k years ago on a hill called "Calvary" where my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, out of love, died just for me. 

Jesus proclaimed His love for me even before the foundation of the world, He wrote it in the Bible for me to read (John 3:16) and he fulfilled it with His life on Golgotha hill one day in the front of many witnesses that included, murderers, mockers, onlookers, false accusers, hateful and jealous religious leaders, roman soldiers, his mother, disciples, friends and many others.

Yes, "Love" was displayed and witnessed that day. Love died, was buried and arose 3 days later to prove that "LOVE" is not a one time thing, it is a person that lives forever in eternity in the person of Jesus Christ.

"LOVE" suffered long for 33 years on earth, it did not envy nor flaunt itself in pride, love seek not its own for scripture says Love died so we can live. Love does not rejoice in others pain or iniquity, but in truth. Love bears, believes, hopes and endure all things.

Christ is indeed a picture of love.

What does your life display to the world today? Is it a picture of love? If not, why? Jesus left us with a physical example of love in putting others before Himself.

God bless.

Debra

Revelation 4:11 Why Am I Here

Revelation 4:11-Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

First of all, we are here because it is the will of God for us to be here. Therefore, that is why he created us in His image. Not physical but spiritual.

God is not a physical being, He is a spirit. John 4:24-God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."

We are spiritual being that live in an earthly house that is made of clay. The Apostle Paul describes our bodies as a "tent."  As you and I know, a "tent" is set up only for a temporary stay.

Yes, these bodies of clay has a number of years and after that, ashes to ashes and dust to dust we all will return in these mortal bodies back to that which we came from, "DIRT" from the ground.

Genesis 2:7-And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

We are God's creation that was created for His glory and His good pleasure.

None of us are an accident. We all are here for a purpose. Not sure what your purpose is? Seek God’s Word!

God bless.

Debra

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Romans 14:11 Ignore No More

Romans 14:11- For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Ignore no more, the Word of God for it is the measuring stick of which we ALL will be judged. No, not by man, self or no any other means of judgment, accept by God alone.

Everyone of us is personally accountable to God our Creator. We all will answer to Him as the final authority over our every affairs of life, be it good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:10- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Ignore no more, the "Gospel" for it is the power of God that saves us from sin. Romans 1:16- For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. For it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.n.

Today is the day of preparation to one day meet Christ. Are you daily making preparation? Are you ready to meet Him?

In this text we are reminded that when that day comes every knee will bow before God and every tongue will confess to God.

The day of accountability is coming for all of us. The unsaved will give an account of their life living. The saved will be rewarded according to their works.

How are you living your life? Is it to please God or self

This text starts off by saying "IT IS WRITTEN." Yes, the Word of God is written for you and I, therefore, we are without excuse. It is written so that we may know the heart and mind of God concerning His will for us and all things that pertains to godliness and life.

There is danger in ignoring the "Gospel," for if and when we do, we are putting our soul at risk of damnation when life on earth is over.

Ignore no more, the Gospel truth!!

God bless.

Debra

I do not own this video nor do I claim ownership of it.

Romans 6:16 Whose Slave Are You

Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you yield yourselves as slaves to obey, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

Paul is driving home to his readers is "we are all slaves." None of us is free. We are in bondage to whatever controls our lives." Whomever or whatever we daily submit in obedience to is our master.

Whose slave are you? This is a question we all must answer everyday of our lives. Whom will we serve today?

How can you tell whose slave you are? We can tell whose slave we are by who or what we daily pledge our allegiance to. The one to whom you have chosen to obey.

Everyone of us is serving only one of two masters, for Jesus Himself declares that no man can serve 2 masters at the same time. He will either love one and hate the other.

Are you a slave to sin that leads to death or are you a slave to obedience that leads to life everlasting

As Christians, we who once were slaves to sin and are now slaves to righteousness, were handed over from slavery to sin unto slavery of righteousness by God’s power through the Holy Spirit, to serve God as slaves of righteousness.

Thank You Lord that I am no longer a slave to sin. Set free and delivered. 

I HAVE BEEN REDEEMED, BOUGHT WITH A PRICE. JESUS HAS CHANGE MY WHOLE LIFE AND I AM NO LONGER THE SAME. THANK YOU LORD!!!

Whose slave are you? I am a slave to righteousness through Christ Jesus!

God bless.

Debra

I do not own this video nor do I claim ownership of it.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 Knock Down But Not Out

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

The goal of God for every believer is to make us into the image of Christ.

Unfortunately, change or transformation is not without pain. To be honest with you, it is a part of the process of the change from the old man to the new that NONE of us want to experience, but, it is one that is of necessity in order for us to be conformed to the likeness of Christ.

Life may knock us down, but it has not knocked us out.

In his writing of this text the Apostle Paul reminds us that quitting is not an option for the people of God, regardless of what is thrown at us or what we might have to endure or suffer for the sake of Christ.

Jesus reminds us that in this world we will have trouble, but be of good cheer for He has overcome the world!!

Feeling the pressure from persecution? The good news is that you are not forsaken for the Lord God is with you.

Feeling cast down? Why are you sad or discouraged? Put your hope in God and not in man or what you see for true hope is found in God alone.

People of God, do not lose heart. Even though the struggle is real and may appear hard at times, remember,  our outward man is perishing, yet our inward man is being renewed day by day.

Knocked down, but not knocked out! With Jesus on our side, we are gonna make it!!

God bless and do tell the Lord thank you that the enemy did not have his way in keeping you down for the Lord our God has raised you up out despair and has lifted us up to a place of joy, hope and peace in Him.

I was knocked down, but God lifted me right back up!

Thank you Lord! We Love you on today!

Debra

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In All Things

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Throughout scripture we see the command to "give thanks" unto the Lord our God who has been, is and forever will be.

The writer of this text, the Apostle Paul, exhorts us not to give thanks for all things, but "IN" all things, give God thanks. In the good, bad, messy, ugly, painful, joyful, weak, strong, happy or sad times, we are to continue to praise and give God thanks.

I recall a situation I had been in a few years ago as I was studying and preparing for a thanksgiving message that I was going to preach from this same text a few weeks later about giving thanks in all things.

I did not realize at the time that it was God giving me this message for me first. It hit me like a ton of rocks when I realized it. I had to deal with my ungratefulness first before I was able to deliver what God had given me for His people. Talk about a reality check!

This, I believe was one of the most hardest sermons I had to write because I was not feeling thankful based on the situation i was currently in.

 As I rant and continued to grumble and complain to the Lord about it for a while I heard this still small voice speak to my mind's heart and said "Debra, stop complaining about what is and thank me for what is not."

That day the Holy Spirit gave me a glimpse of what my situation could have been and from that day forward, I have learned, I said I have learned and am still learning to be thankful "IN" all things and not necessarily for all things because all things that happens to us is not good, BUT, GOD IS GOOD!

Remember, the call is "IN" all things give God thanks.

As hard as it may be to rejoice always, what is our alternative? THINK ABOUT IT!

I pray that today would be the day that WE ALL purpose in our hearts that "IN" all things we will continue to "TELL THE LORD THANK YOU" because it is in those test,  sufferings, pain and trials of life where we gain our testimony of God's goodness, God's presence ,God's power  and God's provision on our behalf.

Remember! "IN" all things we are to still tell God thank you for He promises to never leave us. God is always there for us leading and guiding us through life by His Holy Spirit with love.

God bless and do tell the Lord thank you "IN" all things.

Debra

I do not own this video nor do I claim ownership of it.

Psalm 27 Allow The Light To Lead You

Psalm 27:1-14 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Allow the "LIGHT" to lead, guide and direct your path. If you do, you will make it to God's intended destination for your life.

God bless.

Debra

Mark 14:22-25 The Lord's Supper

The Lord’s Supper

Mark 14:22-25-As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “Take and eat it. This is My body.”

23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them. And they all drank from it.

24 He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. 25 Truly I say to you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

The night before Jesus’ death, He washed the feet of His disciples and shared the Passover meal with them.

At this supper, Jesus spoke these profound words to His disciples saying "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

Today is a day of remembrance of what Christ has done for us.

His life-Jesus putting on flesh and dwelling among us.

His death-dying to pay for our sins.

His resurrection-proof that we too shall be resurrected and live again.

People of God, make your way out to the Lord's house on today.

Encourage the whole family and as many friends and strangers to take their place at the Lord's supper on today.

The Lord's supper is a time of one on one fellowship with Christ.

I can only hope and pray that today, you will make your way to the Lord's house to fellowship with the saints on this "Communion" Sunday in remembrance of our Lord and Savior who paid the ultimate price for our sins that we were not able to pay. 

Jesus chose to be the atonement at Calvary that day over 2k years ago. Have you chosen to go to the Lord's house on today to remember His sacrifice He made for you that day? 

Communion=jointly participation. Are you jointly participating with Jesus on today?

Make the connection at communion today with the Father through Christ for He is looking forward to meeting you there today in His house among the people of God on one accord in remembrance of Him on today.

God bless.

Debra

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