The Word To Live By: 6-24-26
Phil Waggoner
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. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14
The Word To Live by: This almost makes it sound like in order to get to heaven, you’ve got to work hard and sacrifice the good life. That couldn’t be further from the truth. We are saved by grace through faith and not by our good works. What Jesus is saying here is the road of life can be hard, but don’t take the easy way out by denying God and His purpose for your life. I admit it is easier to scroll social media than to think about and search the scriptures for the deeper meaning of your life. What’s easier? Lying on your couch or hiking up a mountain? Scarfing down a candy bar or cooking a healthy meal? Complaining about a problem or working diligently to solve it? Saving your hard-earned money or spending it all in one night? Just because something is easy doesn’t mean it’s what’s best. It’s easier to stay busy and distracted than to confess and repent of your sins. It’s easier to dismiss God altogether than to trust Him with your spirit, soul, and body. But the harder road is worth it. The narrow gate of studying your Bible and denying your imaginations and feelings that go against the Word of God is hard but it is worth it. Persistent, consistent application of faith in the Word will bring you not only peace, but superabundant life, a life of peace that passes understanding. No good thing does He with hold from them that walk in and pursue the righteousness of God. Don’t be misled, in the world you will have tribulations but you can have a good attitude in the middle of it all knowing that Jesus overcame the world and that the Spirit of God will cause all things to work for good for you that are called for His purpose.
Read through the Bible in a year: 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; 2 Kings 4; Amos 9;
Read through the New Testament and Proverbs: Proverbs 24, Matthew 12:26-50, Acts 24:
The sum of Thy Word is Truth Psalm 119:160