roniya“Live for the glory of God and the good of many.”

(Arthur Pink, “The Narrow Way“)

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

Walking along the Narrow Way, means for the heart and life to be constantly regulated by Christ’s holy teaching. It denotes a steady perseverance in faith and obedience to the Lord Jesus; overcoming all opposition, rejecting every temptation to forsake the path of fidelity to Him. It is called the “Narrow Way” because all self-pleasing and self-seeking is shut out.

It is right here that the testing point is reached. Unto the natural man, it is much easier and far more pleasant–to indulge the flesh and follow our worldly propensities. The Broad Road, where the flesh is indulged–is easy, smooth, and attractive! But it ends in “destruction!” Though the “Narrow Way” leads to eternal life–but only FEW tread it.

Multitudes make a profession and claim to be saved–but their lives give no evidence that they are “strangers and pilgrims” here on earth, and that their “treasure” is in heaven. They are afraid of being thought narrow and strict. Satan has deceived them–they imagine that they can get to heaven by an easier route, than by . . .
denying self,
taking up their cross daily,
and following Christ!

There are multitudes of ‘religionists’ who are attempting to combine the two “ways,” making the best of both worlds and serving two masters. They wish to gratify self in time–and enjoy the happiness of Heaven in eternity. Crowds of nominal Christians are deluding themselves into believing that they can do so–but they are terribly deceived!

The reason why so few will enter Eternal Life–is because the multitudes are not seeking it in the way of God’s appointing! None seek it aright–but those who pass through the Narrow Gate–and who, despite many discouragements and falls, continue to press forward along the Narrow Way.

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

(Arthur Pink, “The Narrow Way“)

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow gate, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Luke 13:24

Entering the Narrow Gate signifies the heart’s acceptance of Christ’s holy teaching. Ah, my friend, to really and actually enter this “Narrow Gate” is no easy matter! These words do not picture salvation as a thing of simple and easy attainment. That Jesus should utter such a statement, clearly implies that there are formidable difficulties and obstacles to be overcome, and that slothful nominal professors will surely not enter in.

Why is such striving necessary to “enter” the narrow gate?

First, because SATAN is striving to destroy your soul. “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour!” 1 Peter 5:8

Second, because natural appetites of the FLESH are striving to destroy you: “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims–abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” 1 Peter 2:11

Third, because the whole WORLD is arrayed against you. It will seek to draw you by its alluring promises, its Delilah-like deceits, and fatal enticements. Unless you overcome the world, the world will overcome you to the eternal destruction of your soul.

From what has been before us, we may plainly discover why it is that the vast majority of our fellow-men, yes, and of professing Christians also, will fail to reach Heaven–it is because they prefer . . .
sin, to holiness;
indulging the lusts of the flesh, to walking according to the Scriptures;
self, to Christ;
the world, to God.

Men refuse to .  . .
deny self,
abandon their idols, and
submit to Christ as Lord
–and without this, none can take the first step toward Heaven and enter through the narrow gate!

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Recommended Sermon:

We Have Forgotten That the Way is Narrow by Paul Washer

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: July 13, 2009
To: God

KH: Hey, Lord?

GOD: Yes, Son.

KH: There sure are a lot of verses in Your Word that I don’t understand, but one in particular really concerns me.

GOD: Yes, Son, I know. Luke 18:8.

KH: That’s the one. You asked a question that is never answered.

GOD: I do that a lot in My Word, Son (Job 38-41; Jonah 4:11; Luke 13:4, 16; 14:3, 5; 16:11, 12, etc). It’s to make you think, Son.

KH: It’s working, Lord! What’s the answer? When You come will You find faith on earth?

GOD: Do you know when I’m coming back, Son?

KH: No, Lord. No one knows the day or the hour (Mark 13:32; Luke 12:40). The way world events are shaping up it can’t be much longer. If Your coming isn’t soon, we will all kill each other (Mt. 24:22; Mark 13:20).

GOD: It is worse than you know, Son, and going to get even worse yet. Evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse (2 Tim. 3:13), just as I said.

KH: It’s true, Lord. Your children are being persecuted and killed by the thousands all over the world. Please come soon (2 Tim. 4:8)!

GOD: What do you think, Son? If I delay My coming (Mt. 24:48; Luke 12:45) would I find faith on the earth?

KH: I don’t know, Lord. You said there would be a great falling away (2 Thes. 2:3), and that is already happening. Most cannot stand up to persecution (Mt. 13:21), especially in the soft churches in America. That’s why that verse in Luke 18 concerns me. I need your grace, Lord!

GOD: Lots of My children got excited about Y2K a few years ago. They thought I was coming back then. What if your calendar is off?

KH: Since Herod died in 4 BC and You were about two when he sent soldiers to kill all the babies (Mt. 2:9-16) most folks agree that our calendar is off by at least 6 years. This really should be the year 2015.

GOD: That would be based on My birth. What if the second coming is 2,000 years from My crucifixion or resurrection or ascension? Could My children survive another 18 years?

KH: Not many, Lord. The world system is set to collapse, and people will be ready to accept the anti-Christ and his mark (Rev. 13:16). People do strange things when they are hungry. Esau traded a fortune for a bowl of soup (Gen. 25:31-34).

GOD: What if the 2 Peter 3:8 verse has nothing to do with Me working 6,000 years and resting 1,000 (Rev. 20)? What if I’m not even using your calendar to plan my 2nd coming? What if I have My own? What if My coming is not for 200 years? Would I find faith?

KH: I sure hope You don’t wait that long, Lord! I’m ready for You to come now!

GOD: I know you are, Son, but billions of others are not ready. When I come I will come quickly (Rev. 2:5; 3:11; 22:20), but I want everyone who is willing to come join Me in Heaven (Rev. 22:17; John 3:16). The problem is that multitudes have never heard. That’s why I delay and send preachers (Mt. 10:7; 11:1; Luke 9:6; Rom. 10:14; 2 Tim. 4:2). Are you more concerned about the peace and safety of yourself and your loved ones than the lost going to Hell?

KH: I’m sorry, Lord. I guess I am.

GOD: You need to worry less about when I’m coming back and more about winning souls (Pro. 11:30; Dan. 12:3; Mt. 28:19-20). You keep busy doing what I commanded all My children to do, and I’ll come when it’s time. Go help David grow in My Word, Son. His Buddhist background has given him some baggage that he needs help getting rid of. Keep witnessing for Me in there, Son. I’ve got your back.

http://www.cseblogs.com/?p=233

Christ Alone
by Lynette Woods

In order to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding, please note that in this writing Christ is understood to mean ALL of Himself.

As an encouragement cheerfully to offer intercessory prayer, remember that such prayer is the sweetest God ever hears, for the prayer of Christ is of this character. In all the incense which our Great High Priest now puts into the golden censer, there is not a single grain for Himself. His intercession must be the most acceptable of all supplications–and the more like our prayer is to Christ’s, the sweeter it will be; thus while petitions for ourselves will be accepted, our pleadings for others, having in them more of the fruits of the Spirit, more love, more faith, more brotherly kindness, will be, through the precious merits of Jesus, the sweetest oblation that we can offer to God, the very fat of our sacrifice. Remember, again, that intercessory prayer is exceedingly prevalent. What wonders it has wrought! The Word of God teems with its marvellous deeds.

Believer, thou hast a mighty engine in thy hand, use it well, use it constantly, use it with faith, and thou shalt surely be a benefactor to thy brethren. When thou hast the King’s ear, speak to Him for the suffering members of His body. When thou art favoured to draw very near to His throne, and the King saith to thee, “Ask, and I will give thee what thou wilt,” let thy petitions be, not for thyself alone, but for the many who need His aid.

If thou hast grace at all, and art not an intercessor, that grace must be small as a grain of mustard seed. Thou hast just enough grace to float thy soul clear from the quicksand, but thou hast no deep floods of grace, or else thou wouldst carry in thy joyous bark a weighty cargo of the wants of others, and thou wouldst bring back from thy Lord, for them, rich blessings which but for thee they might not have obtained:–

“Oh, let my hands forget their skill, My tongue be silent, cold, and still, This bounding heart forget to beat, If I forget the mercy-seat!”

C.H. Spurgeon

“It is amazing how you can see Jesus in the face of other believers. Their faces shine, and it was quite an achievement for the glory of God to shine on the face of a Christian in Communist jails. We did not wash—I had not washed for three years—but the glory of God shone even from behind the crust of dirt. And they always had triumphant smiles on their faces,” wrote an imprisoned pastor.

“I know of other Christians who were released from Communist prisons, such as I was. Like them, I was stopped several times on the street by passersby asking, ‘Sir, what is it in you? You look like such a happy man. What is the source of your happiness?’ I told them that it came from many years in Communist jails suffering for my Savior. “They could not understand this because they could not think beyond the difficulties of their own lives. They had not learned to walk in the Spirit and to experience the presence of God. Many would think, ‘If only you knew what a life I have—a husband who batters me, a wife who nags, and children who break my heart.’ There are many material difficulties and tempests in your soul. But what of them? How are they to compare with the joy of knowing Jesus?”

What Jesus gives, no one can take away. He gives us joy in the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. And though our circumstances may grow dim and dark, our joy still shines. Even the darkest dirt from three years in a Communist prison cannot disguise Christian joy. We are not necessarily happy for our affliction. We are not glad for our sorrow. Yet we remain joyful because of Christ’s presence within our sorrow. Have you lost your sense of joy? You realize no one can take your joy from you. If it is missing from your life, it is because you willingly gave it up on account of your circumstances. Ask God to restore your joy in him today.

Last night, Jennifer, Hannah, Lynn D. and I had the privilege of going to Carthage, MO for the Vietnamese Catholic celebration of Marian Days.  Thousands of Vietnamese from all across the USA come to Carthage for this festival.  The festival is held on the grounds of a Vietnamese Catholic Seminary and people camp out all over.  Lynn took a few pictures of yards full of tents as well as one yard which had a sign that said ‘Tent Space Available’.  I wonder what the rental charge was.

We were able to pass out a lot of tracts and Lynn was able to have a few good conversations with some young people.  Much seed was sown, we’re praying that it fell on good ground and takes root and brings for fruit to the glory of Jesus Christ.

After the crowds slowed down we left the streets and entered into the festival and found a place to eat.  After some authentic Vietnamese food  we walked around and spent a few minutes observing their Mass service.  It was so sad.  The masses of people (thousands) worshipping a false idolatrous system.  They need a true revelation of Jesus Christ!

We ended up the evening buying some Boba drinks which are basically a smoothie with large tapioca balls in the bottom (that taste like yummy rubbery somethings).  We each ordered a different kind (strawberry, mango, pineapple and jackfruit) and had fun tasting each of the different flavors.   On our way out we saw some jackfruit for sale (see the picture) and I was able to see what was really in my boba drink .  It tastes kinda like coconut and pineapple.  Really good!

So that was our evening.  I’m grateful to the Lord for working it out for us to go and pass out tracts as well as enjoy some time together.  The Lord is good!

Enjoy the pictures.

[View with PicLens]

Are You Born Again by Merle Weaver

Holy Spirit Revival by David Legge