Wednesday, November 29

Matthew Chapter Seven

I was reading today and in Matthew 7 and i noticed several things:

"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." vv. 13,14

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" vv.21-23


The things that stuck out to me were that "few find" the narrow gate that does not lead to destruction.
Also it appears that the people that say "Lord, Lord" actually prophesied, drove out demons, and performed many miracles in his name, but it is the people who do the will of the Father who enter the kingdom.

"Therefore everyone who hears these word of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." vv.24-27

Many people in churches today hear the words of Christ, many people pray, cast out demons, and perform miracles in the Fathers name, but how many people are seeking to "do the will of the Father"? How many people put to practice what Jesus said? How many have entered through the narrow gate?

Should we be pushing for people to join the church or be part of a movement, or to simply do the will of the Father in heaven?

Wednesday, November 22

The Dying Christian to his Soul

Vital spark of heav'nly flame!
Quit, O quit this mortal frame:
Trembling, hoping, ling'ring, flying,
O the pain, the bliss of dying!
Cease, found Nature, cease they strife,
And let me languish into life.

Hark! they whisper; angels say,
Sister Spirit, come away!
What is this absorbs me quite?
Steals my senses, shuts my sight,
Drowns my spirits, draws my breath?
Tell me, my soul, can this be death?

The world recedes; it disappears!
Heav'n opens on my eyes! my ears
With sounds seraphic ring!
Len, lend your wings! I mount! I fly!
O Grave! where is they victory?
O Death! where is they sting?

~Alexander Pope

Thursday, November 16