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 (NIV)

There was a commercial a few years ago for financial planning that featured a wide green path and arrow to guide the investor along life’s path. As the investor strolls through the city, they were tempted to step off the path to pursue things that could hinder their ability to accomplish their long-term investment plans. The voice of the financial adviser coaches the investor to “just stay on the path.” The implication is that as long as the investor “stays on the path” they will realize their financial goals and live happily ever after. This commercial reminded me of ­­­­­­­Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount concerning the two paths individuals can choose in life.

Jesus tells His listeners to, “Enter through the narrow gate.” The King James Bible version renders narrow as “strait.” Strait (stenos) refers to a narrowness created by obstacles standing close about.   These obstacles could be the world’s view on how we are to enter God’s kingdom. Jesus’ point in this teaching is that the way to life is through a portal providing controlled access along a narrow way defined by God. In contrast, the wide highway represents the world’s “substitute” for the way of life. The end, of course, is death.

As I talk with believers about activities in their local churches, I am disturbed and heartbroken. The Church, which was created to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13), is choosing to “get off the path”.  Churches across this country have abandoned teaching and preaching the “full counsel” of God for “trendy methods” of ministry. The “fervent prayers of the righteous” (James 5:16) have been replaced with small group discussions on why the church should practice religious tolerance. Churches are more concerned with not offending others than with grieving the Holy Spirit. Peter reminded the early church, that Christ Himself was “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence” (1 Peter 2:8).

It is extremely difficult to stay on the path of God when our modern culture and changing social norms are encouraging us to do otherwise. It is critical–life affecting–that we stand fast in our faith (1 Peter 5:12) and resist being lured to “enter through the wide gate.” Stay on the path until you reach your eternal goal of heaven. Remember, it is a narrow path that leads to life, and only a few find it.

 Good to the Last Byte…

Do not be enticed by false teachings with their “faith-by-works, all-roads-lead-to-God” beliefs. Peter reminds us that we are a “peculiar” (God’s own) people chosen to proclaim God’s mighty acts (1 Peter 2:9).

If you were to ask people to list the things they feared, you would probably find on that list, “boredom”, especially boredom in the routine activities of life. This is a common dread for anyone who desires to fill their existence with excitement and vibrancy. There are many differing opinions about boredom. Here are a few.

• Boredom: The desire for desires. – Leo Tolstoy

• I am convinced that boredom is one of the greatest tortures.  If I were to imagine Hell, it would be the place where you were continually bored. – Erich Fromm, The Dogma of Christ

• When people are bored, it is primarily with their own selves that they are bored. – Eric Hoffer

• Perhaps the world’s second worst crime is boredom. The first is being a bore. – Jean Baudrillard

I believe Christians who instinctively practice the presence of the Lord, will have little or no room for boredom in their life. Boredom by its very definition is impossible for the believer who is intentionally and continually connecting with God—sharing their time and experiences with the Creator of heaven and earth (Is. 40:28).

The shepherd boy David found great tranquility and contentment as he tended his sheep. Read the 23rd Psalm. Bored? I don’t think so. David practiced the presence of God under the canopy of His Creation—the moon, the stars, and the heavens. It was during the performance of his boring responsibilities that David experienced both God’s goodness and greatness. He practiced the presence of God in the routine.

This weekend I had an opportunity to share in David’s experience in practicing God’s presence in the routine as I approached the task of preparing Sunday dinner. I rose early in the morning, 5:00 a.m. to be exact, to begin the monotonous task of “cleaning collard greens”—separating the bunched collard leaves from their stem and then washing the leaves thoroughly.

This morning, however, God had a special gift for me. As the morning light came through my kitchen window, God joined me as I performed my mundane task. We spent a glorious hour reflecting on His Word, which I had read earlier during my morning devotions. He lovingly disciplined me for unconfessed sin and in general, listened to my concerns for the day. God assured me that, regardless of the task I faced that day, boring or not, He would continue to be with me. Wow! I felt like Father Lawrence (Read his story below). I practiced the presence of God in the routine.

God is so awesome. He always has us on His mind and we are never out of His view (Ps. 139:7). It is our choice to expect and pursue His presence throughout our day—in the commonplace and in the complex. He is always available (Ps. 121). Want to eliminate boredom from your life? Invite God into your presence and never be “bored again.”

“Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the LORD.” Lamentations 3:40 (NKJ)

I’ve had several conversations this holiday season with my grandnephew as he shared his impressions and experiences about his first semester in college. Oh my, the memories that came to my mind. The lessons he had learned and the lessons yet to be learned. As we spoke, this adage came to mind, “If you keep doing what you do, you’ll keep getting what you got.” While this saying isn’t biblical, it offers strong wisdom to people wanting to change their life and even, their circumstances.

For me, this adage begged the challenge as to what are they things I have learned through my experiences in 2014. I share my insights with you (not in priority order).

#1. Forgiveness is a process. It seems like when you think you have moved past feelings of anger and resentment, a memory or encounter causes those feelings to rise again. I have found that replacing “blessings for curses” (Matt. 5:44) does work. The negative feeling quickly leaves. You can never forgive enough.

#2. “Makes you words soft and sweet, you may have to eat them one day.” These were the words my mother-in-law told me and she was right. James was correct when he described our tongues as “a fire set by hell” (James 3:6). Watch your mouth!

#3. God will do exceedingly above all that we ask and think! (Ep. 3:20) I’m not saying that this year has been perfect, but He has proven Himself faithful and trustworthy. God did what He said He would do—even when I didn’t initially understand what was going on. My part was to only “trust and obey.”

#4. It’s OK to be vulnerable. God has provided the Church and other believers to support and help us in times of need (James 5:14-16). My Christian friends and family have been part of God’s gift to me this year as I sought prayer, guidance, and resources to do the things God gave me to do. Thank you Lord for teaching me how to receive their gifts.

#5. God speaks continuously. It’s up to me to listen. I have concentrated this year on practicing the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is life changing to realize that Deity, the Glory of the Lord, dwells within me to guide, chastise, and empower me. The Holy Spirit is truly a gift from the Lord (Luke 11:13).

#6. Pride can be the biggest hindrance to the Lord working in my life. I pray each day that the Lord will reveal any manifestations of pride in my life—my words, my actions, my thoughts (1 Peter 5:6). A must read, “Humility—The Beauty of Holiness” by Andrew Murray.

I invite you to develop your own list of “wisdom nuggets” you learned in 2014 and share a few of them with the ITWM Community.  You can input your responses at the end of the page.

“(That you may) walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him,

being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”  Colossians 1:10 (NKJ)

The symbols of Thanksgiving are inescapable as we prepare for yet another holiday with friends and family.  We long for the traditional turkey, baked to a golden brown with its legs trussed in white.  The children make paper turkeys with the outline of their hand; the thumb is positioned perfectly as the turkey’s head, complete with a red wattle hanging beneath its neck. My favorite representation of Thanksgiving, however, is the plenteous cornucopia, bursting forth with ripened fruit from its wide and ample opening.  It is this image of Thanksgiving that has caused me to evaluate my own personal fruitfulness.  Since I have been “rooted and built up in Him” (Col. 2:7), am I bringing forth fruit pleasing to Him?  More importantly, what does spiritual fruitfulness look like?

Fruit (the product of fruitfulness) is used metaphorically of work or deeds (Eph. 2:10; Phil. 1:11; 2 Pet. 1:8).  While works are evidence of Christian activity, it does not always tell the whole story.  Jesus’ teachings often encouraged listeners to look beyond what they could see with their physical eyes and to examine the motives and intentions behind the deeds (Matthew 7:16-20).

“You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?  Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

This view of fruit bearing was very intimidating to the religious establishment of Jesus’ day and still is to believers who gauge the quality of their “spiritual” fruit by calendars filled with church activities and hours dedicated to devotional activities.  Fruitfulness is not “busyness for the Lord” but “transformed living” resulting in the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5).  Fruitfulness reflects the heart and mind of our beloved Lord and Savior, in whose image we are to be daily conformed (2 Cor. 3:18).

How do we become fruitful?  Fruitfulness begins and ends with the Chief Source of all life, God the Father through the presence of the Holy Spirit.  Fruitfulness is the visible expression of the Holy Spirit’s power working inwardly and visibly in the life of the believer.  The fruit of Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) is not the result of impotent human efforts but is the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit being reflected in our lives as we divest control of our mind, will, and emotions to Him.

Our role in developing spiritual fruit is to abide in Christ.  To abide means to “tarry and remain”. As we abide, we listen for His voice, we obey His instruction, and we serve at His pleasure.  Jesus is the True Vine.  Believers are His branches and therefore dependent on Him for spiritual nutrients which can only be provided by the Giver and Sustainer of life.  Without Him we, the branch, can bear no fruit (John 15:4-5).  If we successfully abide in Him, we produce “much fruit”.  As we produce much fruit, the Father is glorified (John 5:8).

We are Christ’s disciples and have been appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16).  This Thanksgiving is a great time to evaluate the fruit you are producing.  How does your garden grow?

 Good to the Last Byte…

Abiding requires believers to not only dedicate time alone with the Father but also practice the art of being in His presence continually.  Since Christ is with us continuously (in the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit) practicing His presence must become an intentional act of abiding.