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DISCIPLESHIP

Recently, during my devotions, the Lord led me to a verse that I had read many times before, and thought I understood well.  This time, though, the Lord let me see something rather surprising about His intention for us as believers, and the seriousness of the call that He has placed on us as Christians.   The scripture is in St. Matthew 14, right after the account of the miraculous feeding of the 5,000.   It reads, “ And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.” (Matthew 14:22). There are two tasks that the Lord is directing in this verse: He is sending His disciples across the sea ahead of Him, and He is dismissing, or sending away, the multitude.   The Lord seems very deliberate in accomplishing these two tasks; and, so He was, for He did nothing that was not intentional.   Everything had plan and purpose.   We see in His actions, therefore, a clear sep...
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THE STRAIT GATE

Years ago, before I retired from the place where I had worked for 42 years, a co-worker and I were walking down a long aisle toward the time clock to punch out for the day.   As we came to the end of this long aisle there was a door with a sign on it that read, “Do Not Enter, Authorized Personnel Only.”   As we approached the door, I thought to tell my friend that “…at the end of life’s long pathway, there is also a door that says, ‘Do Not Enter, Authorized Personnel Only.’   Do you know if you have been authorized to enter in?”   It is a question that we must all ask ourselves at some point in our lifetime.  So, what does authorize us to enter heaven?  The answer is simple.  Jesus said, “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9).  The door to heaven is a who, and not a what !  Many are convinced that if their good deeds outweigh their bad, then they will make it ...
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THE LORD IS AT HAND

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.  Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:4-8).   To me, this passage of scripture is one that is useful to remember every day.   It’s like the pocket knife that many guys throw in their pocket before they leave the house just because it’s useful in many situations and you never know when you’re going to need it.   With the many pre...
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