The narrow path
Wadi Moses outside of Petra. This is the road to get to amazing Petra, Jordan. The River of Moses, a path taken during 40 years of The Exodus. Normally beautiful and amazing to pass through. A long walk, my son rode here on hired Camels. But if there is a sudden rain, the mountains will fill the canyon up swiftly and the water becomes treacherous and even deadly in the last few years. Cell phones do not cover the remote desert.
Romans 10:13
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
If we read the Scriptures, know the famous verses and rely only upon the subtitles...
we have watched the Superbowl commercials and might not know the score.
The Call of God to Salvation is Amazingly God sized.
Father God wants to save - the planet - through Jesus Christ the Lord.
And where we are given a Great Gift in the Salvation of Jesus Christ through His broken Body and sin free Soul. Much is given, much is required.
Matthew 7
12 So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
13“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
How do we correlate the two passages?
God puts His Words in Order.
1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints.
1 Corinthians 14:40
But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
God and the Gospels are not plunking down edicts. Thought is not randomly put forth. This is growth, this is development, this is relationship. Covered by Father God, who loves us more.
1 John 4:19
We love because He first loved us.
Father God puts forth His Words as the Creator of the Universe. Maker of all things.
The narrow gate is explained right after this:
Jesus tells us we worship in Spirit and in Truth.
And He continues this thought:
Years ago, I felt Father God tug at my heart to give a gift that, I felt, would be healing.
And I was embarrassed. I felt this looked 'slurpy'. Someone I like very well was limping. It was waved off. But I still felt off kilter to give this Tens Unit for healing, I felt preachy to someone who is wise. And I knew this for a week, brushed it off and went on.
I heard he was ill, afterwards.
Upon being told of serious illness, I told my small group about my feeling and left that with them, and God, and knew I was graciously forgiven.
I did not know. But I had a feeling to give.
Next I'm sitting with them in the Church atrium and we are praying for the next ailment. I said I felt I should have given you the tens unit for a week, but forgot. They were interested and we prayed in our healing class, the next day, the doctor declared for no apparent reason, the serious illness was gone. Life was restored to the illness.
I had confessed, we prayed, we all knew I had not known of the grave illness, but knew I was supposed to give, I was very forgiven, we all wanted him to be healed. Jesus acted. A healing occurred, surprising the doctor.
Father God is not a bringer of fear, He is a God of Love.
Matthew 7:21-23
21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name,
and cast out demons in your name,
and do many mighty works in your name?’
23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
This looks like someone doing the Will of God. What was the trouble?
This is Loud work.
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Jesus tells us we worship in Spirit and in Truth.
And He continues this thought:
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."
Years ago, I felt Father God tug at my heart to give a gift that, I felt, would be healing.
And I was embarrassed. I felt this looked 'slurpy'. Someone I like very well was limping. It was waved off. But I still felt off kilter to give this Tens Unit for healing, I felt preachy to someone who is wise. And I knew this for a week, brushed it off and went on.
I heard he was ill, afterwards.
Upon being told of serious illness, I told my small group about my feeling and left that with them, and God, and knew I was graciously forgiven.
I did not know. But I had a feeling to give.
Next I'm sitting with them in the Church atrium and we are praying for the next ailment. I said I felt I should have given you the tens unit for a week, but forgot. They were interested and we prayed in our healing class, the next day, the doctor declared for no apparent reason, the serious illness was gone. Life was restored to the illness.
I had confessed, we prayed, we all knew I had not known of the grave illness, but knew I was supposed to give, I was very forgiven, we all wanted him to be healed. Jesus acted. A healing occurred, surprising the doctor.
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."
Father God is not a bringer of fear, He is a God of Love.
Matthew 7:21-23
21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name,
and cast out demons in your name,
and do many mighty works in your name?’
23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
This looks like someone doing the Will of God. What was the trouble?
This is Loud work.
A Pharisee loves to do Loud work. Not just "works" - "Mighty Works." Showy.
Not caring for the other person - who is in their life - I have known people who didn't even want to tell someone ill, "I knew you had cancer." Instead, they want away from the trouble and the discomfort and can't even lift a card to the mail. "What cancer?"
If we see grief and can't take a cake. Take the gift.
Jesus said He came for the lowly, the ill. Jesus did. We can't save people. We can do what Jesus said in small abilities. He asks more for mercy than sacrifice. One of St. Augustine's quotes says the same thing.
What is a worker of lawlessness?
Here we have part A and part B.
Not caring for the other person - who is in their life - I have known people who didn't even want to tell someone ill, "I knew you had cancer." Instead, they want away from the trouble and the discomfort and can't even lift a card to the mail. "What cancer?"
If we see grief and can't take a cake. Take the gift.
Jesus said He came for the lowly, the ill. Jesus did. We can't save people. We can do what Jesus said in small abilities. He asks more for mercy than sacrifice. One of St. Augustine's quotes says the same thing.
What is a worker of lawlessness?
I've sat so often in my volunteer work with the broken-hearted. A date. The way love works is you sleep with the one you want to love you. Right? No. This causes so much harm. The person who loved is harmed. This can go on and on. Lives actually change.
What is a worker of lawlessness?
What is a worker of lawlessness?
I saw one man feel cold that women want him to sleep with them like he is a rollercoaster. He looks hopeless as he says, what is a man to do. Bless his soul. No one, no one, no one has told him, he can say no and be free.
The movies look easy. Life doesn't have a 90 minute plot.
The Laws given have all the blessings put around them. And Jesus tells us we can't do the law. We are not good enough.
When we are sure we can call upon the name of Jesus the Lord, the Messiah, the Savior to be our waiter. We... are.... in a 'world of hurt'.
Remember the well-known prayers of the Pharisee and Tax Collector.
The movies look easy. Life doesn't have a 90 minute plot.
The Laws given have all the blessings put around them. And Jesus tells us we can't do the law. We are not good enough.
When we are sure we can call upon the name of Jesus the Lord, the Messiah, the Savior to be our waiter. We... are.... in a 'world of hurt'.
Luke 18:9-14
9 Jesus also used this illustration with some who were sure that God approved of them while they looked down on everyone else.
10 He said, “Two men went into the temple courtyard to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people! I’m not a robber or a dishonest person. I haven’t committed adultery. I’m not even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my entire income.’
13 “But the tax collector was standing at a distance. He wouldn’t even look up to heaven. Instead, he became very upset, and he said, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
14 “I can guarantee that this tax collector went home with God’s approval, but the Pharisee didn’t. Everyone who honors himself will be humbled, but the person who humbles himself will be honored.”
Remember the well-known prayers of the Pharisee and Tax Collector.
The Tax Collector today might be - Someone in the medical profession refusing services to the dying when this is just a pill or something within reach. Someone who is paid four times what a job costs and doesn't ever offer anything that gives back. A Viking - a pillager. Jesus says once this is a lawyer who doesn't care one ounce for justice or mercy.
Ok, sure we know the story - The Pharisee says "I'm so good, thank God, I'm not the unsaved and the people with horrid people. I was smarter than That. Jesus loves the clean nose."
The first sentence says
"9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt."
And of course
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified.
No one in life is going to get out of this life without some hurt. Trouble. Just like the Prodigal Son story, we have to go to our Father knowing we have had some of this: sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, pride, arrogance and folly.
When we truly believe, we call upon the real Jesus. The Son of God. Innocent and placed as God in an animal feeder, wrapped up tightly. Healing the blind. The deaf hear. When we know God is there for us. When we want to please Jesus.
This happens in the howl of wild winds of life;
24“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Just like the Pastor said last Sunday. Just like Paul said in the Holy Spirit. We are going to find Jesus to help us.
Then we know. His Banner over me is Love. We can call on Jesus, for He cares this much for us. And we are profoundly grateful. Understanding the cost.
Ok, sure we know the story - The Pharisee says "I'm so good, thank God, I'm not the unsaved and the people with horrid people. I was smarter than That. Jesus loves the clean nose."
The first sentence says
"9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt."
And of course
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified.
No one in life is going to get out of this life without some hurt. Trouble. Just like the Prodigal Son story, we have to go to our Father knowing we have had some of this: sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, pride, arrogance and folly.
When we truly believe, we call upon the real Jesus. The Son of God. Innocent and placed as God in an animal feeder, wrapped up tightly. Healing the blind. The deaf hear. When we know God is there for us. When we want to please Jesus.
This happens in the howl of wild winds of life;
24“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Just like the Pastor said last Sunday. Just like Paul said in the Holy Spirit. We are going to find Jesus to help us.
Then we know. His Banner over me is Love. We can call on Jesus, for He cares this much for us. And we are profoundly grateful. Understanding the cost.
Abba, Father God,
When You Dwell in us, You help us find You first. Dwell in us.
Help us all to speak up. and give tens units and pray. Forgiven is strength to carry on.
We want our First Amendment to be there. Help us to use this and use this and use this.
Give us wisdom to discern Your will daily. Be with us in Grace and Kindness as we approach Your throne with Jesus confidence.
We cannot earn. We cannot work. We cannot repay. For what You have given.
We call ourselves wise. We arrogantly hold up opinions on right and wrong. We do not create life. We do not last more than tree. Our opinions will not matter in a hundred years.
And what Jesus has done for me, a sinner. In the Highest Name of Jesus, I am eternal - today. I am redeemed for His Righteousness. I am Blessed.
Jesus, help us in this Nation to be in Your Word and see more Joy.
Covered in God's Love,
This Nation
President Donald Trump.
All of Our Families.
The Office of the President
Our Constitution and Rights, Earned and Fought
for by our Veterans.
Thank You, God, for our
ability to gather and worship You.
Our freedom of speech and ideas.
Governor Abbott and all Legislatures.
Senator Tim Scott
The end of Trouble.
Help this end quickly, safely
We rest in the Hands of Our Good Father.
Lord Jesus please heal, love, forgive, and heal us all
in Your Love and Mercy. Amen.
We lift up Jesus to all His Glory
and ask for Elliott to be completely healed.
In Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thank You, Jesus. My God. Amen.
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