STRIVE TO ENTER

Luke 13:24 (NKJV) 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
    This remarkable statement, has been missed by so many, Jesus clearly states not many people will find eternal life, not many will complete the work of this life and enter into rest with Him in eternity. What is the problem?
    It is so easy to pretend to be something we are not, it is not hard at all to put on a face and dress up a bad attitude, however, that will not change the heart. I once heard, "You can put a coat on a mule but it is still a mule," pretense is what God wants to put away in our lives.
    The work of seeking God is exhausting, it requires the deliberate spiritual action of prayer, it must be the work of our lives. Similar to a battle in which we engage the enemy physically, so is the exercise of earnest prayer. "You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin," Hebrews 12:4 remember it is Jesus the Son of God who commands "Strive to enter!"
Heavenly Father, we thank You for reminding us the work is not finished until we take our last breath. Help us today to enter into your rest by being diligent to seek You. Help us to endure, that we may be found faithful. Amen

FEAR HIM

Luke 12:5 (NKJV) 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
     A man cried on his death bed "Help me I don't want to die," "What is your fear," I asked, he replied, "I am not sure God will accept me." His life was one of ups and downs never really trusting the Author of Life.
     Jesus is revealing to his disciples that misplaced fear has no credit, man can do nothing to keep us from God, however, God can send us away from Him and that is the fear we should acknowledge. God created, He breathed into man the breath of life, it is in His Power alone to give and take.
    The man above listened intently as I explained, he had followed the wrong ideas about salvation, the heart must be given to Jesus and not taken back, we are to ask, seek and knock on the door of Eternity, Matthew 7:7,  our eternal lives depend upon it.
     What do you fear, I pray it is not misplaced?
Heavenly Father help us to look to You, help us to trust You, Help that we might seek no other, for we know there is know other Name given among men, that is Jesus Christ, for Salvation. Amen

DID NOT DRIVE

Joshua 13:13 (NKJV) 13 Nevertheless the children of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maachathites, but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.
    A man in prison said, "One sin will not leave me alone, I cannot stop its control over me," he was asked, "You can't or you won't?"
    The Israelites were commanded to eliminate all who challenged their possession of the land, it was a gift from God. However, there were obstacles to overcome the people of the land had been given over 400 years to repent and exalt God, they had failed to drive sin out of their lives. When the Israelites entered the land they saw the sins of the people and began to embrace the sins forbidden by God, the sins of the land choked the Word of the Lord and the people failed TO DRIVE SIN OUT.
    Friend, God has covered every sin with the innocent blood of His Son, nothing can stand against this Redeemers gift of Life. Romans 8:37-39 You must choose however to make God first in your life, anything less will result in failure. What a sad testimony, "They almost made it to Heaven, but would not completely trust Jesus in their lives!"
Heavenly Father may we acknowledge sin is an enemy, and trust You to destroy every vestige of its power over us. May we look to You to eliminate the control of sin in our lives, and trust You with every area of living. Amen

MORE THAN THAT

Luke 11:28 (NKJV) 28 But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"
   Talking with a couple in a nursing home they were giving praise to God for their long life together, the wife hard of hearing said loudly, "What did you say," her sweet husband replied, "I said living with you has been sweet because of our God," she smiled and nodded knowingly.
    Someone tried to change the subject, Jesus keeps the focus on the only thing we need, to hear and obey the Word of God. So many distractions, so much to do, we are not better off with the conveniences of this century, we have grown colder and indifferent to worship and walking with God. The quiet voice of our Creator is being obscured by the volume of the noise in our ears, by the flash of color in our lives and the sad reasoning of our justifications. The Word of God is the most important thing for living, more than everything else, we must obey Him.
Heavenly Father the life we live in you is evidence of what we really believe, help us to stick to your Truth and avoid the distractions that destroy. Help us to hear and keep your Word. Amen

ONE THING

Luke 10:42 (NKJV) 2 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
   One person is busy attending to the needs of others, another person wrestles with God speaking to the heart about character, who is doing God's will? Ask Martha, she will answer, meeting an others needs, ask Mary, spending time with the Savior, will be her reply. Dig into to Hebrews Chapter 4 and discover God is calling us to enter into rest, that is a rest from the struggles of this world, a rest of satisfaction in the saving Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
   Which one is right, Jesus says Mary has chosen the One thing, the good part that can not be taken from the child of God. We can be robbed and we may rob, but the relationship we embrace with Jesus Christ cannot be taken away. John 10:28-29
Heavenly Father may we hear everything You are saying, may we carefully embrace all the Truth You are supplying, may we hear see and obey everything You have planned. Amen
   

HOPE IN GOD

Psalms 42:5 (NKJV) 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance. 
    A child was quiet and sullen, "What's wrong," the mother inquired, "I don't have anyone," came the reply, "You have daddy, Nanna has Papa, I don't have anyone." Sometimes we feel there is not another soul that understands, sadness seems more a friend than any single person. Such is the nature of man to long for the presence of the One who meets every need, the One that will be a friend when no other will, the One who cares about me.
    Friend you are not in strange company, we all need something that no person can supply, it must be the assurance that all will be well, that comes only from the Throne of God in the person of His Son. Jesus is the answer to my alone emotions, my soul can be satisfied no other way than the presence of God in my life.
    Have you completely trusted the Savior with every thing in your life, have you sold every possession in your heart, to the One who owns all things, absolute surrender to Jesus is the key to satisfaction in this life. Once your affections rest in Him you will desire no other.
Heavenly Father let every thing be put away, but let me have You, let every article of life be destroyed, but let me have You. May all the things that once held the heart, be nothing, give me the life in Christ. Amen

THE WHOLE MULTITUDE

Luke 8:37 (NKJV) 37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.
   How sad one group wants nothing to do with Jesus, He has removed the stain of sin and exposed the root of evil in their lives, the other group can't wait for him to return. The world in 2000 years has not evolved into anything better, because it cannot change without The Change Agent.
    The majority of people today reject the undeniable truth that the presence of Jesus, (the One who died for everyones sins, and then walked out of deaths grip,) is the only Way. Why, man cannot exist without Him, God has proved to us, John 14:6 that men will in no way find everlasting peace with out Him.
    Have you asked Him to leave, won't you right now ask Him (Jesus) to return, and forgive your sins and come into your life? Don't let worldly fear ruin your life for a Heavenly Eternity!
Heavenly Father, we need You, help us to trust every difficulty to You, help us to turn to You, help us to look up, may all our doing encounter You? Amen
   

NOT COMMANDED

Leviticus 10:1 (NKJV)... and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. 
   A child picked up candy in the grocery aisle and put it in his pocket, the mother quickly grabbed his hand  and told him that was stealing. The child responded, "But you and daddy put things in the buggy and take them home!" How we observe things is not an excuse for not knowing, God has clearly given to us the ability to live sin free, however He has also given us the right to choose to do so. How we deal with truth is evident in what we do with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  The details are here in God's word, He writes them on the pages of the believers heart, Romans 2:15, any other type of living is an offense to God and His offer of Redemption. Are you offering your own worship of God, there is a price to pay?
Heavenly Father help us to see what pleases You. May our worship exalt You, may our hearts be tied to yours, may all we consider bless You. Amen

MERCY, FAITHFULNESS, RIGHTEOUSNESS

Psalms 36:5-6 (NKJV) 5 Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
    God the Creator, God our Redeemer, is ever vigilant over the affairs of His creation, everything is taken into account, no thing has been left undone, He is diligent, He is faithful, He is righteous, He is governor of all.
    Man has no excuse for ignoring His presence, Romans 1:19-20, does He have your attention today, have you targeted THE GOD, as your goal for the arrow of your life. The bow is bent the string has been loosed, you the arrow will hit a mark, either the bulls eye of eternal life with God, or the entire miss of the eternal life without God. Won't you trust His Mercy, Faithfulness, Righteousness and Judgments today, there is no other way.
Heavenly Father to look any other way is foolish and without Hope. May we trust in You, May we look to You, may all our ways be your Way. Amen

BEING FILLED

Luke 4:1 (NKJV) 1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
    A group of kids were playing "King Of The Mountain" on a sand hill, someone yelled, "I win," and threw their hands in the air for victory only to fall off the steep incline, everyone laughed and started over again. We too are battling to be king of the hill, there are many victories and failures in this life and they all are for our benefit.
    Jesus is filled with the Spirit and is lead into a wilderness, to be attacked, He is victorious, an example of how to handle temptation. Read on, He is venerated by those who listened in wonder at His opening of the Word of God, they are now murderous and desire to kill Him.
    What happened, with Spiritual victory there is spiritual attack the enemy hates that God is exalted, are you being attacked look up there has been victory, cling to what God has done and you will know what He is doing.
Heavenly Father when all seems dark help us to look to You, when fears arise help us to remember the cost of your life, when everything looks hopeless let us look beyond the circumstances to You. Amen

HIS PEOPLE

Deuteronomy 32:9 (NKJV) 9 For the LORD'S portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance.
    We are people of possessions, I mean that we consider what we have as personally ours, it belongs to us. The child who plays with anthers toy often cries, Thats mine, mine," the powerful desire to possess is a part of everyones life.
    Now consider that God has created all things, all of nature belongs to Him, the seas, mountains and the fullness of every thing belongs to the One who created, yet His desire is that you and I love Him. We do not love God the way we should, so He made a way to bring us to Himself, Jesus willingly gives His perfect life that you and I might have fellowship with God. His only desire is that we might love Him and desire to posses Him, God owns it ALL, and yet, "His portion is His people!"
Heavenly Father help me to love You the way You intended, help me to long for You and no other thing. May all our desires be for You, that we may be your people. Amen

NOT OFFENDED

Luke 7:23 (NKJV) 23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."
   Children often find themselves embarrassed by their parents, a mother adjusted her daughters jacket as she began to get on the bus for school, a father said out loud, "I love you," to his son as he leaped from the car to be with friends. We express how we feel to the ones we love, yet it often proves to be a shame, or a complication to those we cherish.
    Jesus announces the Love of God for those who will trust Him with their emotions, those who will commit to Him their feelings, those who will acknowledge they have been purchased with a great price. The one who desires to see God, who is not offended by his Creator and Savior, is indeed blessed.
Heavenly Father help us to regard your Love as the most precious thing we experience, help us to treasure  each moment with You. May we always acknowledge that our hope is in You. Amen

YOU WHO HEAR

Luke 6:27 (NKJV) 27 "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 
    Jesus speaks to those who hear as well as those who do not, the difference being those who hear, must act on His words, "they are Life."
     Are you struggling today, would you be still for a few moments and listen, He is telling you a truth that will transform your life. What is He saying,  "Just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise," Luke 6:31(NKJV) do you hear His authority, He does not ask the impossible, He enables the believer? All that a person can be is found in Jesus, what are you searching for, what will satisfy your quest, "you who hear," will find peace in Him.
Heavenly Father in You is all we need, it is created by You, it is found only in You. Help us to look up when every one is looking around, help us to trust You when life has failed, help us to hear the instruction we need. Amen

ALL MEN

Luke 6:26 (NKJV) 26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.
   A little girl ran home from a neighbors house crying, her dad picked her up and hugged her as she sobbed, "No body likes me." Children are often cruel, and spiteful, why, they are only acting out their natural sinful nature.
  In this scripture Jesus is telling people, the things of this world that we long for, cause many to fall, riches and plenty go hand in hand and distract from the real issue of knowing God. Many churches today have left their first love, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth" Revelation 3:15-16 (NKJV) many are being led astray, there is a great price for the deceiver of those who could be Gods people. It is not what men say that matters, IT IS what GOD says, that is Eternal.
Heavenly Father looking to You we ask for help from the coming storm, help us weather the accusations, help us look to You and your Word when no one will. May all You want to do in us be accomplished for your Glory. Amen

I WAIT

Psalms 39:7 (NKJV) 7 "And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. 
    We trust in so much, we often forget God is the sustainer of all things. This thing upsets our applecart, or that thing will make me happy, is a yo yo affect of emotions, where do we find rest from the constant assault on needed peace? The psalmist identifies the struggle and squarely hits the mark, we must look to God, we must hope in God.
     When was the last time you experienced real comfort, actual rest, can't remember, will you today look up and say to our Father, "I need You, right now my soul desires You, help me to discover the relationship I need with You?" Jesus will give you the rest you need.
Heavenly Father all our help is in You, all our hope is in You, may we look to You in every thing in our lives. Amen

ASTRAY

Proverbs 12:26 (NKJV) 26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. 
    Recently a man in prison said, "The people I chose to hang with are the reason I committed the crimes I have. We would sit around and brag about what we had done, the more we talked the more crimes we did." A statement comes to mind, "Contamination by association," many confess they would not have been part of doing wrong had someone not coerced them. However, Jesus makes clear the heart of man is the seat of the problem. Matthew 15:11
    It is true "Bad company corrupts good morals," the choice to do right however, still belongs to you and me. To choose rightly we must know Right, His name is Jesus, He is waiting for you to trust Him with your life, choose Him today and you will have chosen your Friend carefully.
Heavenly Father help us to choose wisely, help us to discern right relationships, help I pray our hearts to obey and trust You in everything. Amen

FOLLOWED HIM

Luke 5:11 (NKJV) ..., they forsook all and followed Him. 
   A little man watched a dump truck picking up the trash, he said, "I want to be a trash truck driver," his mother asked why, "So I can go all over the world." A life of commitment is the life that knows where it is going. A little girl watched the parade at Disney review all kinds of amazing characters, she squealed, "I want to be a princess," we all have dreams and goals to achieve, some reach those goals and some are never fulfilled.
   What I want, will not secure what I need, Jesus says we must follow Him, why, like everything God has created there is a purpose and to fulfill that calling we must follow what we are created to do. We were created to have fellowship with The Creator, are you making time for God on a daily basis, He is making time for you?
Heavenly Father help us to seek You as we should, help us to experience what You have planned, help us to know You the way You have desired from the beginning. Amen

TELL HIS DISCIPLES

Matthew 28:9 (NKJV) 9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.
   The mood is solemn, those who followed Jesus were living with fear, finding no body at the tomb, heightened their anxiety, questions must have filled their thoughts and weighed them down. John says, Mary feared someone had taken Him away.
    How do you perceive the empty tomb, your life tells the story, doubt proves you do not know Him, knowing Christ is risen, is the key to salvation and Eternal Life. When John saw the grave clothes he knew and believed, do you know and believe? "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 (NKJV)

Heavenly Father may we look to our risen Lord and rejoice, our salvation is sure. Amen

WENT AWAY

Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. (John 20:10 NKJV) A little fellow was just learning to walk, his mother pleaded come to mommy, his dad begged come to daddy, he tried to please both but found he could not. The average person like the child is confused, pulled by the flesh to make something of the day, torn in the spirit to trust what cannot be seen. The disciples saw their Lord die confusion became an enemy and they gave up. There is hope Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1 NKJV) Friend our heavenly Father has the answer, do not let the things of this world distract you from the main function as created beings, we are to worship God. Set your heart on Jesus and all the confusion will be removed, trust your entire being to Him and you will begin to live. Heavenly Father may we always look up before we look about. May our every thought seek You. Amen.

THE EYE

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, (Psalm 33:18 NKJV) A worker watched carefully for the boss, when he was not near by he would not work and waste time, as soon as he saw the boss coming he would pretend to work. He was soon discovered and fired for lack of performance. God too is watching and He expects His children to do their best. What do you hope in today, is it financial gain, better health, a new vehicle, don't, look to Him who is able to supply all our needs in Christ Jesus? Seek Him while He may be found, a Day is coming when the King of Glory will appear, it then will be too late. Today may be the day of His appearing, the eye of the Lord is on us. Heavenly Father in You we exist, your Love supplies all we need, may we trust your every Word, may all our efforts please You. Amen.

I HAVE SINNED

... I have sinned by betraying innocent. ...(Matthew 27:4 NKJV) A man spoke with clear emotion in his voice, "Friend I have done wrong to you," he had years before taken from that man his ability to make a living through a violent confrontation. The man broken from sleepless nights of conviction begged forgiveness, trembling he looked into the eyes of his victim, gently the reply came, " What you thought evil, God has used to bring us together, Jesus forgives, He forgave me and He will forgive you as I do." Forgiveness is what we need, and it can come through no other than the One we have sinned against, His name is Jesus, however we will not be forgiven unless we ask. Confession is essential, but we must then ask for the King of Glory to rule our lives, does He? Heavenly Father, we need forgiveness we have sinned against You and the most precious gift of all, Jesus, will You forgive us and walk in us, that others may see You? Amen