What’s At the End of The Road You’re Traveling?

“Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be go in thereat: Because strait (small) is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Life is full of choices. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is describing some of those choices and their consequences. In describing the choices Jesus is encouraging us to be wise. He tells us that beyond the wide gate and the broad way there is destruction. Going through that wide gate and traveling that broad way are many people. They are the crowd described by the phrase, “Everybody’s doing it.” Or, “everybody likes it, wears it, or thinks it’s great.”

But our Lord tells us that the small gate and the narrow way lead to life. Going through that small gate and narrow way, or road, are very few travelers. It’s just not appealing to the crowds. They are the folks described by the phrase, “Nobody’s going.” Or, “Nobody likes it.” Or, “It’s not fun.”

Everyone is on one of these roads. On which one are you?

What Will You Do With Jesus?

“Pilate saith unto them, ‘What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?’ They all say unto him, ‘Let Him be crucified.’” (Matthew 27:22)

This Biblical question finds Pilate, the governor, caught on the horns of a dilemma. It was Passover time in Jerusalem. There was a custom that Pilate could release a prisoner to the people at the feast. There was a notable prisoner named Barabbas who was a robber, a seditionist and had committed murder. And there was Jesus in whom Pilate found no fault. If Pilate released Jesus and executed Barabbas he would be out of favor with the Jewish people. If he released Barabbas and crucified Jesus he would be out of favor with his conscience. He desired to remain neutral but could not. He attempted to wash his hands of any responsibility then released Barabbas and had Jesus scourged and delivered to be crucified.

Many people face a similar dilemma today. Your friends may like the bars, the drinking, the sexual “freedom,” the living together without marriage with no thought of church or the hereafter. But those things are done in opposition to the teaching of Jesus.

So the question is, “What shall you do with Jesus?” You cannot remain neutral about Jesus, about His sacrificial death at Calvary, His resurrection, and His claims upon your life.

Where is Jesus?

“Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.”   (Matthew 2:2)

"Where is Jesus" is a Biblical question that was asked by the wise men who were led by the star to Jerusalem. This inquiry troubled Herod the king who could not stand the thought of a rival or competing king.

Many people are still troubled by this question. Where is He? He is no longer in Bethlehem’s manger. Nor is He any longer on the cross. Neither is He in Joseph’s tomb. He is alive.

Where is He? He is in heaven at the right hand of God, a place of honor, power and priesthood. He is there making intercession for those who have been saved by grace through faith in Him.

Where is He? He meets with the saints of God, on the Lord’s Day and any other time two or three are gathered in His name. Where is He? He is coming again to resurrect the dead in Christ and to rapture or snatch away the living Christians when He comes. Where is He? Is He abiding in your heart?

The Hairs of Your Head

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:30)

Our text is in context with our Savior’s words about an almost worthless sparrow not falling to the ground without your Father. Then he assures us that we are of more value than many sparrows.

God not only knows about us, the Scriptures teach us that He cares about us. He is concerned about you and the things that concern you, that might cause you to lose sleep, or cause you to fret and worry.

As I get older and my hair gets thinner with less for Him to have numbered, God still knows all about me and cares as much as ever. Praise His name.

Speak to the Lord in Prayer

"Our Father, which art in heaven." (Matthew 6:9) 

When Lyndon Johnson was President of the United States they were having an early morning prayer breakfast in the White House for the staff members. Bill Moyers was the press secretary for Mr. Johnson. He was also a seminary trained and ordained Baptist preacher.

President Johnson called on Bill Moyers to lead in prayer before the meal. As he was praying President Johnson broke in and said, "Bill, You'll have to speak up. I can't hear you." Without ever looking up and with only a short pause Bill Moyers said, "I wasn't talking to you, Mr. President."

To whom are we speaking when we pray? The Model prayer in Matthew 6 instructs us to pray, "Our Father, which art in heaven." (Matthew 6:9) When we pray at church are we more mindful of the people around us or of the Lord to whom we are speaking? Sometimes I feel that it is easy to get caught up in attempting to impress the people around us with our prayers. When we pray even the President of the United States is small potatoes compared to the One whom we are addressing.

Ready or Not

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44) 

Do you remember as a child playing, “Hide-and-Seek” or as it was sometimes called, “Hide-and-go-seek?” Someone was “It” designated as the “seeker” to go find the other kids who were hiding. The seeker would count to one hundred while the other kids hid and then call out, “Ready or not, here I come.” The object was to hide and make it back to the base calling out, “Home Free,” without the seeker getting back to base first and calling out, “one, two, three on so and so.” It was a fun child’s game.

It reminds me of a very serious event that is going to happen. The “count down” for the second coming of Jesus Christ started a long time ago and God alone knows when the counting will end. The Bible says, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44) One can almost hear Him say, “Ready or not, here I Come.”

Now is the time to turn your life over to Christ and be ready for His return.

Devotional Guide

"Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:8-10

When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness our Savior fought him with the Word of God, saying on three occasions recorded in Matthew and Luke "It is Written." (Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13) The devil left Jesus and He was ministered to by angels. 

One of the outstanding truths in that confrontation is that Jesus did not have to roll out a scroll of Scripture, search for a good verse and then read it to the devil. The key lies in what the Psalmist said years and years before, "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psalm 119:11) Jesus had hidden God's Word in His heart in preparation for His battle against Satan.

There is no substitute for hiding God's Word in your heart through Scripture memorization. It will help you to always be prepared to give an answer to those who want to know the secret behind your lifestyle. And when the devil comes calling, and he will, having God's Word in your heart will give you victory over discouragement, temptation and sin.

God has blessed me with the privilege of writing and sharing these short daily devotions. I am glad to know people are being blessed and encouraged through the reading of them. I enjoy reading the daily devotions of other writers as they share their insights. However, one’s daily devotional time must consist of more than another person’s thoughts from a devotional guide. God must be personal to you and me. We must experience Him for ourselves and not just read about what He means to someone else. We must read His Word daily and allow the Holy Spirit to make applications in the areas of our lives that need God’s attention.

I fully believe the other devotional guide writers would agree with me on that point. Read God’s Word. There is no substitute for it. Let it be your primary “devotional” guide.