Monday November 21, 2022

Today is Monday, November 21 and this week we complete our study of the Sermon on the Mount.

As I enter this time of prayer, I still my body, quiet my mind and slow my breathing. I close my eyes and relax in the presence of the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy and Loving God, I long for You to speak into my life and circumstances. Give me ears to listen and eyes to see the good message You have for me today as I study the holy scriptures. Amen.

I praise God for His righteousness and give Him thanks with the words of Psalm 118.

Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. Psalm 118:19-21

Pause and Pray

This week of Thanksgiving is the culmination of a three month study of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus completes His timeless teaching in Matthew chapter seven. After Jesus cautioned His followers to be cognizant of what lies on the inside them – the intention of the soul and motivation of the heart, He then warns His followers to be aware of what might mislead them on the outside. External threats and hindrances to the life of faith in the world around them. He accomplishes this by contrasting a series of two kinds of things – two gates, two trees, two disciples and two foundations. Every moment of every day I make choices. I choose between one or the other. Jesus wants me to choose well.

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

Jesus clearly tells me where to enter. He earnestly encourages me to strive to enter through the narrow gate. The narrow way, the way to heaven, the way that leads to life abundant and everlasting is small, inconspicuous and unpopular. Only a few find it. How can I endeavor to be one of the few? Attaining holiness of heart and life is something I cannot attempt to do on my own, but can merely strive through the grace of the Holy Spirit’s work of sanctification in me. The wide gate, the broad way, the road to destruction, disappointment and loss, is easy, attractive, and surprisingly popular. Many enter by the wrong gate.

Ask: Where in my life might I be currently walking the broad road instead of the narrow road? In what ways might God want me to change course?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord and Savior, I am grateful for Your wise instruction and guidance for the salvation of my soul. Reveal the places in my life’s journey where I am following the crowd, walking the fashionable road, or choosing the easy way. Clearly disclose the ways that will lead to downfall, loss or ruin. Shine Your blessed light on the narrow road that leads to life and teach me to walk in that way. I read Matthew again, listening for the message You have for me today.

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

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Even though I may be familiar with this passage of scripture, Jesus wants to speak fresh words to me today. I affirm my desire to listen and comprehend the variety of paths which lie before me. I want to choose well. What situations come to mind when I hear the words wide, broad, many and destruction? What situations come to mind when I hear the words narrow, small, few and life?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I invite You into my current life circumstances and ask You to be the one who guides my steps. Come, reveal the threats and hindrances to my path toward holiness. Teach me how to follow in Your footsteps and walk in a way worthy of the gospel. I want to locate the narrow road that brings life, love and peace. Amen.

Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Luke 13:23-24

I leave this time of prayer striving to faithfully walk the narrow road with Jesus, aiming to sacrificially love and humbly serve others in His name.

Amen