Sunday: To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice guest post T.W.

Obey All of God's Word

Cast Out of Eden

Man's disobedience to God has been an issue from early Creation. Most people will be forced to agree with this. Remember Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. If Adam and Eve had obeyed God, and "not" the Serpent, we would all be still roaming around in the Garden, enjoying ourselves, and giving birth to obedient children, without pain.Instead most of us are shaking in our boots, and wondering if we are really going to spend eternity in heaven.

Just as Adam and Eve had a problem obeying God in their day, we as servants of God, still struggle with the issue of obedience. I know, because I struggle with the same problem.

Sunday: Spoiled Brats in the Kingdom guest post T.W.

Facing What Makes You Uncomfortable Like a Man

How many of you remember the Mexican comedy El Chavo del Ocho, an off shoot of the well known Mexican comedy El Chapulin Colorado. In the show El Chavo del Ocho, Mister Villagran played a character named Quico, who was an adult who dressed up like a kid. In fact, he played the part of a spoil brat, who was always crying about this or that. Some of us in the Kingdom of God is like Quico. Though we should be all grown up in God, we still sometimes act like spoil brats.

Sunday: Worshipping God verses Worshipping Idols guest post Pastor T.W.

American Idolatry

I find it amazing how many people today are involved in idolatry of many kinds. In this story Paul is at Athens, Greece, having been sent away from Berea, by the Brethren, for his own protection. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Ghost had fallen afresh on the disciples, and those that were with them. Paul had also received the Holy Ghost after receiving prayer from Ananias, Acts 9:17. So Paul was very bold, and on fire for God. Some of the Brethren then had brought Paul to Athens and left him there. In Athens Paul encountered Idol worship.

Sunday: Invitation to the Ultimate Wedding guest post Pastor T.W.

Are You Wise or Foolish

Surprisingly enough, there is a great deal in the word of God about weddings, and marriages. Over the years we have noticed that a lot of people, both those professing to be Christians, and those who are not professing, take this business of marriage very lightly. Many people seem to think that they can enter into a marriage at will, and leave it at will. But the Lord sees marriage much differently than man sees it. Often, we take the decision to accept the Lord as Savior, or to reject Him, just as lightly. Many have created their own set of rules, policies and procedures. Things, like "I don't need to go to church"; "I am a man, what do you expect," "I am only hurting myself, so who cares". These are ideas, which while they sound convincing, do not agree with the word of God.

Sunday: Strangers Among Us guest post Pastor T.W.

You Can't See the Forest for the Trees and the Angels at Your Door

When you meet a person who appears to be an undesirable, do you shun them, turn your nose up a bit, and walk away. Laugh at them a bit, because they seem different. Then be careful! After you read the following Scripture, you might want to rethink your attitude toward Strangers.

"Hebrews 13:2 reads: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Sunday: The Price He Paid guest post T. W.

Easter and You

As Christians, we love to talk about salvation being "free". And it is free, in that we do not have to pay a financial down payment, and a monthly installment. But was salvation really free? I present to you, NO! Jesus, Himself, paid an enormous price, and the Saints around the world, who are dedicated to spreading the Gospel of Peace, often pay a tremendous price.

This is Easter Week, Passover as it were, the Resurrection weekend, as I like to call it. You will no doubt see thousands of pictures of the person we depict as Jesus Christ hanging on a cross, with His head hung down, and blood coming out of His sides. You may even shed a tear yourself. You may remember the movie "The Passion of Christ", and realize that Jesus suffered a lot for you and I, but the Price He paid and the price His followers continue to pay, was even greater than what we have seen in the movies.

Sunday: Employment in the Kingdom of Heaven guest post T.W.

Employment in the Kingdom of Heaven

With unemployment rates being at a record high right now, there are a lot of people out there looking for work. Today, I would like to give you a reference letter to my Employer, and perhaps you will consider putting in your application: a) You don't need any formal education, b) He will actual give you clothes of righteous to wear, c) You can work from home, d) you will need to go to a meeting from time to time, and e) the pay is excellent, a Penny a Day. f) there are always openings, g) It has a no discrimination policy, h) the qualifications are the same for everyone, you just have to be willing to give up sin. i) The age thing is not an issue, though the Lord would prefer that men would come into His Kingdom, early in life; if it so happens that a man comes in later, j) every man will receive the same pay, "A Penny a Day"

The Scripture reference is found in St. Matthew 20: 1-16. We will not quote every verse for you, but please read them at your leisure.

St. Matthew 10: 1 -2

1. "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.
2. "And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard."

Wouldn't you agree that the Lord is very kine on the concept of Employer/ Employee Relationship. In this chapter, you will immediately see the principle of working to gain something. So very early in the negotiations, you see the Word of God establishing several principles: a) Which company is hiring, b) salary, c) Discrimination policy, d) Contract.

a) Which Company is hiring: Principle "A" let's you know which Company is doing the hiring. That is "the Kingdom of Heaven".

The Lord in His wisdom makes a comparison here to a "Householder" or to "Business Owner" who rose up early in the morning and went out looking for workers. Most people who are seriously looking for work, make themselves available, early in the day. The principle here, in my understanding, is that this early in the day, has to do with early in your life, i.e. while you are still young. But you will see in this Scripture, that this Householder goes out several times a day, and thus gave numerous types of people an opportunity to work for Him.

b) Salary: Again, very early in the negotiations, the boss lets potential employees know how much the person would be offered in return for his/her labor. Most of the time, we go out looking for work, and way down in the negotiations, we ourselves have to ask the employer, "So, how much does the job pay?" God is not like that, He deals with this question right up front. He offers all employees the same "A Penny A Day."

c) Discrimination: There was no discrimination: If a person agreed to go "into the vineyard", it didn't matter "what type of work he/she agreed to do, the person would receive the 'same' pay as everyone else. "A penny a day".

d) Contract: The employer and the employee established a contract. Very important. Look at this, verse 2

St. Matthew 20:2 "And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard."

So this group of people now had a job. They have no doubt discussed with the boss what each one would be doing in the vineyard, or place of work. It had already been established that these people are "laborers". The boss is not looking for someone to fill the President or Vice President's position. These people will no doubt, do manual labor. In the Kingdom of Heaven, we are all laborers. There is only one President, and the Angels have already filled the Vice President's position as well, so we are all laborers. Though many try to get into the Kingdom of Heaven and enter at a higher position, they are still just laborers. And that's plenty high in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The pay: "A Penny a Day": Again, let's look at the pay. It was described as "a penny a day". So everyday, the person would receive a penny. There would be some reward everyday. That is the way it is in the Kingdom of Heaven. Some days, it is very difficult to sense that you have gain something, but truly you have. And as you look down through the Scripture, of
St. Matthew 20: 1- 16, you will see that the Householder went out several times and hired laborers, and each and every time, he offered them "a penny a day", no matter what time they begin work, and no matter what job they did. I would like to offer to you, this concept: The Penny a Day is the Gift of Eternal Life! Isn't that exciting!

Conclusion: If you are still hanging around in the market place looking for work, I would like to refer you to my Company.
a) You don't need any formal education, b) He will actual give you clothes of righteous to wear, c) You can work from home, d) you will need to go to a meeting from time to time, and e) the pay is excellent, a Penny a Day. f) there are always openings, g) It has a no discrimination policy, h) the qualifications are the same for everyone, you just have to be willing to give up sin. i) The age thing is not an issue, though the Lord would prefer that men would come into His Kingdom, early in life; if it so happens that a man comes in later, j) every man will receive the same pay, "A Penny a Day" which is "the Gift of Eternal Life".

Pastor T.W.

Sunday: Freedom to Decide guest post T.W.

Making Right Choices: Proverbs 14:12

It would be an understatement to say that "every day we are faced with making life-changing decisions, i.e. choices that could effect us personally, effect not only our present, but our future as well. Proverbs 14:12 reads:

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

We would have to admit that this is a pretty profound statement. We could make a decision to do this or that. We may think it is the right decision, but that decision somehow leads us to a deadly end.



This message is not meant to discourage your heart, but to encourage each of us, that while the blood is still running warm in our veins, we are reminded to take a few more minutes to think about decisions we are about to make. Re-think it! Even pray to the Lord over it, and you will find that you will make more sound decisions.

For example, how about the decision to try illegal drugs, or street drugs. Do most people actually sit down and contemplate what their lives might be like, if they choose a life of drugs. There are a lot of hidden pit falls that come with that life style. Pit falls like crime, bad health, poverty, and finally an early death.

I had never really thought about the devastation that could follow such a life style of illegal drugs until one morning when the Lord woke me out of sound sleep, and told me to get up, get dress, and eventually to get into my car and drive. I was in the car just a few minutes when I saw a house in a blazing inferno. It was about 5:30 a.m. when I reached the home. Observing the fire, I was sure the family had already been warned, but not so! As I approached the house, the Lord spoke to me again, and said the word: "Crack". I understood that the house had been set a fire by someone who had been smoking the drug Crack. I went to the door, knocked on the front door as loud as I could, while yelling" Your house is on fire!" A man opened the door, in a daze. I went right past him screaming, your house is on fire! The man's wife was still in bed sleeping. Both of them under the grips of smoke inhalation, until the Lord came to their rescue.

That morning I saw the real devastation of drugs in full bloom:
a) It almost took these people's lives,
b) it clouded the mind of the person who where using the drug, and set the house a fire, and never cared about the lives of the people in the house (They had to have known the people were there! But they ran away.)
c) The fire burned not only the house, but the power lines, telephone lines, and cable lines,
d) it put the lives of the fire men at risk,
e) it cost the City Government money, and
f) it disturbed the neighbors and put their lives at risk as well.

This was all caused by this attitude, "All I want to do is party, have fun, and feel good!" This is just one of the things people do that leads them into a life that while it seems harmless to themselves and others, "....the ends thereof are the ways of death."

Conclusion

God is NOT against people enjoying their lives. In fact, His Holy Spirit is the source of our joy, and peace, and He never leaves us with a hang over.

Love ya! Pastor T.W.

Please visit my legal website: Las Vegas Nevada DUI Attorney
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Sunday: The Power of Thought guest post Pastor T. W.

In Your Mind

If you believe in the saying: "You are what you eat!" Then you may want to consider that "we are what we think about." Those things which you think about enter into your heart, and causes your heart or mind to be either filled with good things, or evil things. Paul along with Timotheus, penned this letter to the Philippians. Paul seemed to believe that the things which enter our minds, have a lot to do with how successful our walk with God will be; how happy or unhappy we are.

Paul wrote unto the Philippians, these words: Philippians 4: 8

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, How many times do we contemplate what lie we will tell if confronted with a question, especially one which could get us into some trouble, like loosing our job, or an issue with the law.



whatsoever things are honest, Like truth, we find it difficult to be honest every time. Even little simple things like someone saying: "How do you like my hair, or my dress?" The thought goes through our minds, "that's the ugliest dress I've ever seen in my life!" but our mouths say, "it's lovely dear! Honey, the color is you!" What is Paul recommending we say, or do? Just think on honest things, and he honest. It's refreshing.

whatsoever things are just, Let our hearts be fair and just in our dealings. Let us treat others as we would like to be treated.

whatsoever things are pure, "Let this mind be in you, that was also in Christ Jesus...." Think clean and holy thoughts. Get rid of that suspicious mentality.

whatsoever things are lovely, Think lovely and kind thoughts. Try to see things from the eyes of the Lord...through His Holy Word. Ask yourself, How would the Lord handle this? Or am I being kind or mean?

whatsoever things are of good report, Let us report only the things we hear that are good. Even if you know the evil report, you are not obligated to report it to others.

if there be any virtue, Virtue is clean or virtuous, as in "never defiled by man". Our thoughts are to be this way.

and if there be any praise, think on these things." We are to worship the Lord Jesus. Give God thanks for all things. Think about the fact that He died to set us free. I am excited about that!

I have to admit that I am still struggling with "thinking holy thoughts at all times." My time in prayer, and time studying the Word of God, and even attending church services on a regular basis, helps me in this area. God bless you.

by Pastor T.W.

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Sunday: Do Miracles Still Happen [guest post Paster T.W.]

Miracles from on High

Have you ever experienced a godly miracle? I believe that we will or have experienced many miracles in our life time. What I am describing as a miracle is, any act that could happen by no other means, but by the Power of God Almighty.

The First Miracle recorded of Jesus was the act of Jesus turning water into wine, was reported in

John 2: 1-11.

¹ And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: ² And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. ³ And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. ⁴ Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. ⁵ His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. ⁶ And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. ⁷ Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. ⁹ When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, ¹⁰ And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. ¹¹This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

So somewhere between the servants pouring the water into the pots, and then drawing the water out of the pots, by the commandment of Jesus, a miracle happened. The water was then turned into wine! And the governor of the feast, exclaimed in vs. 10.

".....Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now."

So, what Jesus produced was superb. Verse 11. states that "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee..."

Conclusion

Some say that wine represents the joy of the Holy Spirit. The Lord revealed unto me on one occasion that during this marriage feast, when He was turning the water into wine, He was thinking of the day when He would fill men with His Holy Spirit. I present to you, that it is just as easy for the Lord to change a man's heart, or mind, by His Spirit, as it is for Him to change water into wine.

Guest poster Pastor T.W.

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Sunday: Opening Your Heart to Hear God Speak Part 3 [guest post Pastor T. W.]

Does God Really Talk to People?

I love God's voice. It is so soft and sweet, yet, it is powerful enough to wake up the dead! This final portion has to do with the final reason I believe God really speaks to people, and that is because He speaks to me often. This proclamation has gotten me into a lot of trouble, both with friends and foe. That is not surprising, because the fact that God spoke to Jeremiah, in the Old Testament, got him into plenty trouble.

The very first time I remember God speaking to me, I was about five years old. I have told this story on television, in foreign countries, and to my friends and family. My brother is in this story with me, commented when I told him this story, "So, you became a grown up woman, at age 5." Well, I guess so. There is something about knowing God, that makes you a little more mature. However, though I have known God since I was a child, there are still days, when I feel like I am still a five year old child.



Though I can never remember, not believing in God, I officially accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, at the age of 12 years, because I had read the story about Jesus starting His own work at about 12 years of age. So that summer, when I was 12 years old, (I was born in 1948) there was a revival going on at our church, and I of course went to the revival every night, along with the rest of my family. In those days, we still had what they called "the mourner's bench". If you had not accepted Jesus yet, and you were in the Baptist church, you sat on the mourner's bench. Once you accepted Jesus, and was baptized, you could sit anywhere in the church, and you could receive The Lord's Supper, or Communion.

As I mentioned earlier: The first time I remember the Lord speaking to me, I was five years old. It would have been around 1953. Our family lived deep in the woods. We still had a wood burning stove and heater. We read by kerosene lamps. My mother was industrious, and was in the process of changing over from a non-electrical home, to having electric lights. We had, what we called, "an ice box", or refrigerator. This is key, for you understanding the story. An ice box, was made of tin, or steel, and it had three compartments on it; two smaller compartments, and one longer compartment, equal to the other two. Each door had a two-part steel latch on it, a handle that one depressed to open, and a cradle, which the latch fit into. It was hard to open and close.

In the upper left hand compartment you put a block of ice, about 15" x 15" which cooled the ice box. In the lower left hand compartment, and the longer compartment you put food. One had to buy ice, almost every day. It think it cost about 15 cents a block.

My father and the boys had put the old ice box in my parent's room, because we were getting an electric refrigerator. I had been cautioned by my mother, "not to play" in the ice box. Many children had suffocated and died in ice boxes just that year. But, I couldn't resist, I had to play in the ice box. So while my mother was sleeping, and listening to the radio, my little brother, who was then 4 years old, and I, went into my mother's room to play. We opened the ice box and got in, to play "car". I was the driver of the car. I got into the upper left hand compartment, where they would put the ice, and at my request, my brother closed the door on me. I remember smelling the cakes my mother had had in the box during Christmas.
My brother was taller, so he got into the long compartment. From inside the box, I cautioned my bother "not to close his door".

We had been playing for just a few minutes, when my brother screamed. "My door closed!" "My door closed!" I yelled at him, "Why did you close the door. I told you not to close it!" He assured me, he had not closed the door, but the door had closed on him "by itself". There was a knowing in me, that made me believed him! There was not only God, there something out there, mean, and evil, who had closed that door.

In an attempt to free himself, my brother started to shake the ice box furiously. Now mind you, the floor of the house was wooden, and it sat about 12 feet up off the ground, so it gave when you walked on it.

God spoke the first time: "Tell your brother not to shake the ice box, if he turns it over, your mother will not be able to pick it up. Then your mother will die. Your sisters and brothers will come home from school and find you all dead." I saw the picture in my head. I yelled at my brother, and repeated to him, what God had said to me. He stopped shaking the ice box.

God spoke the second time: "If you will pray, I will open the door for you!" By now, I estimate that about 45 seconds had past. We were still breathing fine, but our time was running out. I was a little uneasy about saying this, but I said to my brother, "I know who can open the door for us!" Mind you, we had already called our mother repeatedly, so my brother conceded that "Mama sleep!" I told him: "I am not talking about Mama, I was talking about God!" His reply was: "God can't hear us, He's in heaven!" His answer shook me for a minute. That was true, He was in heaven. I didn't understand everything, but I had no time to figure it all out. God had said that "if you pray, I will open the door!"

So, I asked my brother to repeat the Lord's prayer after me. At first, he refused. I had to ask him about three times, before he finally agreed. For whatever reason, I knew we both needed to pray. Finally, we started: "Our father" and he repeated: "Our fadda (father)", "Who art in heaven." "Who art in heven (heaven)". "Hallow would be thy name." "Hallow be thy name." "Thy Kingdom Come!" "Thy Kingdom Come! It's open! The door open!" my little brother said. After we were out, there was another unction I received at age five, "Tell God thank you!" Again, I had to fight with my little brother, to make Him tell God "thank you!" This is what he said, "God didn't open the door, door opened by self!" What do you believe?

Conclusion

While many children died in those old ice boxes, that year, thanks to the Lord, and child's faith, we both came out of that old ice box, and lived to share this story. Do you believe that God really does talk to His people. I do! Pastor T.W.

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Sunday: Opening Your Heart to Hear God Speak Part 2 [guest post Pastor T. W.]

Does God Really Talk to People?

Throughout the ages, God has spoken to His People, and He shall always talk to us. If you missed Part 1 of this Series: "Does God really talk to people," I will briefly restate the first reason that I believe and know that God really talks to His people, is because "God changes not!". So then, I concluded that since God does not change, He still does what He has always done! And that is, He speaks to His people. Amen?

The second reason I believe that God really talks to People, is because He spoke with His prophets of old. The prophet I want to use to illustrate this fact, is Elisha. In case you don't know anything about Elisha, read the Book Kings 2, in the Old Testament, of the Bible.



Our story starts in 2 Kings chapter 6, verse 24.

"24. And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged (encamped against it) Samaria. 25. And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver."

These scriptures are presented for the purpose of setting up the story, so that you know what was going on at the time. This king, Benhadad attacked the City of Samaria, and encamped round about it, so that no one could come into the city, and no one could come out. So eventually, there was little or no food. God's people, Israel, were eating dove's dung, or the head of a Donkey, or whatever they could get their hands on. One story was told of these two women who ate a child for food. Things were extremely critical!

Now God speaks to Elisha, in 2 Kings 7:1

"Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria."

You should read 2 Kings chapter 6 and 7, and you will realize that God really spoke to Elisha. The reason we know God spoke, is because the thing came to pass. It happened just as Elisha said it would happen. The next day, there was food in Samaria for sell. It would take too long to explain how that came about, so you should read the story yourself, to understand it. But briefly I will tell you this, that the food came from the camp of the King, who had encamped against Samaria.

If a person says that God said a thing, and that thing does not come to pass; we can conclude that God did not say it.

One may ask, Satan, the devil, the Enemy can send messages to people, and the thing to come to pass. The answer is maybe: The Enemy can give a message, mostly concerning "the past", and it seems to be true. But the Enemy cannot truly predict the future. He can say something evil, and then "see to it" that thing happens, but we must measure all prophecies by the Word of God. Don't put your confidence in "fortune telling," or "palm reading,' or something of that nature. Believe the Word of God only.

Conclusion

Time and time again, we see in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament, that the Lord speaks, and the thing comes to pass. He is still doing the same thing today. Pastor T.W.

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Sunday: Opening Your Heart to Hear God Speak Part 1 [guest post Pastor T. W.]

Does God Actually Talk?

As a Minister, in the Christian Church, I get these questions all the time. Does God really talk to people? How do you know that it is God who is talking, and not someone else? How do you know it's not just your own mind you hear? The message below will briefly deal with the question of "Does God Really Talk to People?". Our goal is to give people enough information, and yet not drown them with too much information. I will give you scriptures, and if possibly some reference material which may help you.


Does God really talk to people? With a resounding "Yes", I can answer that the Lord God, still talks to people today. Why do I believe this? There are three major reasons:

• God does not change
  
• He talked to the prophets of old
• He speaks to me often

The first reason I believe, and know that the Lord really talks to people today, is because God does not change. The Word of God confirms the fact that God does not change numerous times. The first is found in the Old Testament:



Malachi, 3:6a "For I am the Lord, I change not...." In other words, God's character does not change. He is always Good! He is always Holy, clean and pure. He is always truthful and just. He always treats His children the same....Right. So knowing this about God, helps us to understand that He will, through every generation, be the same towards us.

There is also another scripture in the New Testament, which supports this teaching: See Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." That's pretty clear, isn't it. God is just the same, as I stated above. His characteristics, His ways, and His Words are the same. Don't you just hate "wishy, washy, people." People who you cannot trust, because they refuse to tell the truth. One day, they are happy and smiling, and friendly, and the next day, for no apparent reason, they seem angry, and distant. God is not like that. Though sometimes it seems that He is silent, His Word still lets us know that He is still loving and kind, and He is ever present.

Believing that God does not change, is vital to the belief system of followers of Jesus Christ. Just as the Bible teaches us in Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him"

Before we can believe that He actually speaks to His people, we must first believe that God is that ever constant equation in life itself, or we wouldn't be able to believe the rest of His message.

I will deal with the other two reasons, why I believe and know that God really does speak to people in my next message:
2) The second reason that I believe that the Lord really talks to people is because He spoke to the prophets of old. and finally, because, 3) He speaks to me, often. Pastor T.W.

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Sunday: Enter the Strait Gate - guest post Pastor T.W.

Enter ye in at the Strait Gate

When we hear the word, strait which according to The Random House College Dictionary, means "narrow", or a position of difficulty, distress, or need. We may think of the straight, which means a line without a bend. Both are great words, especially when we are attempting to obey God's Words, in particular those found in the Book of St. Matthews 7:12-14 which reads:

St. Matthew 7: 12 - 14

12. "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
13. "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14. "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

When Jesus was on earth, in human form, He taught in such a profound but simple way. He normally used parables, which are natural lessons, used to teach spiritual principles. Even though Jesus had the power to heal the sick, and raise the dead, His main focus was directed at giving us "ETERNAL LIFE"; Getting us to heaven after we leave this earth. This was His focus in St. Matthew 7:12-14, and I dare say the entire Bible.

The Golden Rule

Most of us have heard of what we love to call "The Golden Rule: Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you." That is exactly what the Lord was teaching in verse 12 of this chapter. If we would treat others, the way we would like to be treated, we would fulfill the law and the prophets. We would have a wonderful world in which to live. There is another scripture which was written by Paul to the Philippians, in Philippians 2:3

"...let each esteem other better than themselves."

Wow! If we could only do that successfully, everyday, instead of thinking like the Pharisee who we see in St. Luke 18:11 (Please read this section.)

"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this politician."

What the Pharisee was actually saying was: God, I'm better than this Publican. Jesus taught us to treat others as we wanted to be treated. Love others as we wish to be loved.

Jesus taught us in the Book of St. Matthew 7:13-14, we are to get on that strait and narrow way, and remain on it for life, for this is how we shall enter into Life Everlasting. Jesus, taught us without compromise, and without apology this message:

"....I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." St. John 14:6

Jesus is that Strait Gate. This is the gospel message. Jesus is the way, the only way to Eternal Life.

There is of course another way that one can choose to go, but that way does not, and never will lead to Eternal Life. Jesus mentions this in the second part of St. Matthew 7:13,

"......and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that which go in thereat."

If we took a walk in any large city, in the U.S., such as New York City, Los Angeles, California, or Las Vegas, Nevada, we would find thousands of people walking on that broad way. It would make most people say, "It must be alright, everybody can't be wrong!" That's true, "everybody can't be wrong!" And everyone is not wrong. There are some who have decided to come off the broad way, and get on the strait and narrow way, and live there.

Sermon Summary

We encourage you today, to get on that strait path by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Getting on that strait path is so easy, you don't even need eyes in order to see it. You simply need to believe the Word which the Bible teaches about Jesus, that he was born of a Virgin, that He grew up, and died on the cross for our sins. Please pray this prayer:

"Lord Jesus, I believe in You.

"I believe that you came to this earth as the Bible says.
"That you were born of a Virgin.
"That you died on the cross for my sins
"That you went into the grave and stayed 3 days,
"That on the third day, you rose from the dead, with all power in your hands,
"Please, forgive me, for all of my sins
"Come into my heart and save me
"And fill me with your Holy Spirit, and
"Lord, please write my name in the Book of Life, in Jesus name I pray. Amen"

author: Pastor T.W.