Straight is the Way, Narrow is the Gate

“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).

How many of us really have a firm grasp of truth? We think we do but we don’t, even the greatest scholars and theologians missed this word, why because it has nothing to do with what we think and see but what Yah reveals…when the word says enter the narrow gate, that there are few who find it; it is because few can see it there…why? First of all we have to find it, the narrow gate cannot be found without revelation, because if it were that easy everyone would be there. Secondly,   because of all the “stuff” blocking “The Way.”

Society has conditioned us to believe that if everybody is doing it then it must be ok even in the church. In contrast, society has sold us many things like drugs, alcohol, and sex through movies, and other means and then offers us rehabilitation to recover from them, even in the church a so called rehabilitation center both are worldly. Everybody does those things and they are going the wrong way.

However, this picture is bigger than drugs, alcohol and sex .

It’s what we see, similar to following the highway and having to pay attentions to signs and while driving you and a friend are into a deep conversation and while the exit to the narrow gate looms just ahead, somehow we don’t see because we have gotten off into this deep conversation about something else.

Let’s talk about the broad gate…our friends are there, church members, family and a host of others going down the same road…how do we know those people are there on the same path…well, if we go to the same church most likely we are hanging around with people who are like us…we listen to the word from a preacher, go to church on Sunday and probably eat at each other’s houses. Those in the same income bracket hang with those in the same. While the poorer are friends with their friends that probably aren’t good for them but because those people in the church are nonsocial able this is what happens, the members sleep with other members married are not, the deacons are stealing…all types of stuff is available on the broad road…the preachers are carted off to jail….everybody’s doing it, the narrow gate…happens when you start to wonder and ask God does he really want you living like that…this is church Yah we say, what is the problem?

Furthermore, why would the Yahshua have this conversation with believers in the first place if they were following “The Way?” Remember he said “Ye are the salt of the earth but if the salt loses its flavor it is good for nothing?” So, what happened then that Yahshua, had to say this if they were on the narrow path? Some weren’t you see, and he had to warn them that there are wolves in sheep’s clothing come to steal them.

The Way to the narrow path is not Christianity and here is why, we must broaden our thinking past the small individual happenings in our own lives.  The whole world believes the faith of Christianity. Notably, there are people being converted to believe in the name of Jesus  more than any other religion on the planet. Somebody says that is proof that we are on the right path…well, no it’s not. It says much about persuasion and the need for people to fit in and be like everyone else. There are people sitting in church from Sunday to Sunday who are not saved. How do we know…look at the rate of deliverance and the behavior in the church. People look, think, and act just like the unsaved.

Look at this:

According to the article, “Christianity Today – General Statistics and Facts of Christianity.” Mary Fairchild states, “Christianity is ranked the largest religion in the world today. According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, in 2010 there were 2.18 billion Christians around the world, nearly a third of the global population.”  Conversely, when we look at scripture the narrow gate doesn’t seem likely to be found by the masses of the population. When we look at the term “find it” we note that this is something that isn’t so easily accepted.

The Pew Forum on Public Religion & Public Life gives this estimate:

“More than one-quarter of American adults (28%) have left the faith in which they were raised in favor of another religion – or no religion at all. If change in affiliation from one type of Protestantism to another is included, 44% of adults have either switched religious affiliation, moved from being unaffiliated with any religion to being affiliated with a particular faith, or dropped any connection to a specific religious tradition altogether.”

In a way this one would seem that there is something that Christianity is lacking being that the practice of it is so much like the world. It is problematic when people cannot see a difference why would they stay?

Fairchild gives a breakdown of those who practice Christianity worldwide, the Top 3 Largest National Christian Populations:

• US – 246,780,000 (79.5% of the Population)
• Brazil – 175,770,000 (90.2% of the Population)
• Mexico – 107,780,000 (95% of the Population):

Conversely, if the thinking is to find the narrow gate; the question becomes whether the masses hold the key to finding it. Isn’t this more like the broad road; rather than the narrow gate leading to life?

Let’s look at the text,

Luke 17:

11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

One came back to give Yah praise, and that one was not associate with Christianity. Notably, he was one those in Christianity would consider least likely. What happened to the others? They went on their way to follow the masses. Narrow is the gate those who praise Yah in spirit and truth will find the narrow gate.

According to Pew,  “The survey finds that the number of people who say they are unaffiliated with any particular faith today (16.1%) is more than double the number who say they were not affiliated with any particular religion as children. Among Americans ages 18-29, one-in-four say they are not currently affiliated with any particular religion.”

Note:  No religion doesn’t equal no belief or faith.

People are evoking their right to choose; even in Religion. Considering our finding, the narrow gate isn’t found in the Masses. People are finding the narrow gate their own way with revelation for the Most High. There is hope.

Watch: World vs. Church

Related articles

• Just in Time for the ‘Year of Faith:’ One in five Americans has no religion (godsphilosoraptor.wordpress.com)
• Ways to Make a Christian Faint (theupsidedownworld.com)
• Attack the World, or Attract With Your Neighbor? (unbiasedtruth.net)
• organizing community for following Jesus (shepherds-journey.com)
• Religious leaders respond to the rise of the “Nones” – Articles (religionnews.com)
• Only Fools Charge the Gates of Hell (5ptsalt.com)
• Day 33: Should Religions Mix? (findinggod365.wordpress.com)

If the Pieces don’t Fit Don’t Preach it

They, meaning preachers and teachers tell us that Paul is the only one who had the experience of being stopped in his tracks on the way to kill a “Believer of the Way.”

Let me drop this dime on ya. Nobody, has had this type of experience until they are so intent on their false teachings and thinking that they actually are committing spiritual murder and causing injury to the children of YHWH.

How can a person today be a killer of someone’s spirit? Well, the premise here is that lies kills, adultery kills, dishonoring YHWH kills, worshiping other gods passing your sin on kills….don’t believe me…take a look at your habits and habits of others who sow discord and tell me isn’t that a murdering spirit. Basically, being a hypocrite, because we teach not to do it and can’t not do it ourselves. Powerful revelation!

However, YHWH has called many but few are chosen to hear —literally, stopping us in our tracks. YHWH is removing the scales off our eyes… If we are preaching anything other than truth we are kiiling people.

Yah says you shall know the truth, means that we don’t know unless he reveals it…what is his name?

Immediately, after that the text says that Paul did not immediately confer with flesh and blood. He was set apart, the mind has a way of rejecting truth…meditate and pray on it.

For your hearing

Acts 9:1-8

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

And he said, Who art thou, Lord?

And the Lord said, I am Yahshua whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Yashuah, what wilt thou have me to do?

And the Yahshua said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.”

Related articles

• Acts 9:1-19 Was Blind But Now I See Part II (writedownthesewords.com)
• Blessed is he who is not offended bt Me (daileytalks.wordpress.com)
• Psalms 50-54 (mybiblereadingplan.wordpress.com)
• Unlikely Men (loopyloo305.com)
• Acts 9-10 (mybiblereadingplan.wordpress.com)
• Acts 9:1-19 Was Blind But Now I See (writedownthesewords.com)

Blessed is he who is not offended by Me

Matthew 11:4-6

4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

This is a profound word! You must really listen to hear it.

John is the one who before birth jumped in his mothers womb upon hearing Mary ‘s (who was pregnant) voice. The word says that Elizabeth (John’s mother) was filled with the Holy Ghost and she Praised YHWH. Why? The anointing was powerful on Mary, she carried the Savior, the Messiah.

This is significant because John is related to Yahshuah but the two never met. His mom and Yahshua’s mom’s are cousins. Notably, John was raised by the teaching of the Torah. Moreover, he was chosen before birth to announce Yahshuah. This is significant because when John is in prison after doing all that preaching and baptizing. Ironically, he had been preaching and baptizing about someone he had never met, nor, layed eyes on and he sent word to Yahshuah to ask was he the one, or, should he look for someone else. Trained in the word of YHWH, anointed for the assignment of announcing the Savior but never laid eyes on Him…obedience, faith in action.

Now then, Jesus says to the two, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

So now we see  what the two messengers were instructed to tell him…John had not been afforded the opportunity to see GREATNESS but PREACH about it; so, he had second hand knowledge of the miracles taking place. He had to depend on others who knew truth to give it to him, hence, at this point they knew more, and saw more than he; basically, witnessing to him what he could not see. He could either accept or reject what that told him. Early on we note with John that he spent much of time in the wilderness, living meagerly; however, his announcing Yeshuah’s coming was by divine revelation. He didn’t attend school like the Pharisee. We hear nothing of a title, yet, he was chosen to announce Yahshuah. Why, because the least likely are the most likely to be chosen.

Yet, Yahshua says “blessed is he who is not offended by Me.” Blessed is he who is not put off by my presence, not jealous, not, and I love this scandalized or see me as a stumbling block…Wow!

Now, offended has a Hebrew meaning, look at this:

Skandalizō is the Hebrew transliteration of offended which sounds like you see it.

Here is the break down:

1) to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall, metaph. to offend

a) to entice to sin

b) to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey

1) to cause to fall away

2) to be offended in one, i.e. to see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging his authority

3) to cause one to judge unfavourably or unjustly of another

c) since one who stumbles or whose foot gets entangled feels annoyed

1) to cause one displeasure at a thing

2) to make indignant

3) to be displeased, indignant

Here’s a great point…we have been discussing YHWH’s true name, and we have most certainly seen people be offended because Yashuah’s name has been revealed. However, this was the name in the beginning and we know that because the name Jesus is 1) a translation, and 2) English which is not 2000 years old, and, 3) the letter j is not a part of the Hebrew or Arabic Alphabet. People have been offended about his name; however, he says plainly “blessed are they who are not offended by me.” For john this meant someone else was preaching now…and for those today who have these titles and authority to teach this might be a little embarrassing that Yah is choosing some least likely people to get the word out. Teaching somethings that weren’t taught in the seminaries and most certainly teaching something you might feel should not be taught for whatever reasons you think.  Yahshua says, “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

He who hath an ear for truth let him hear it.

Can You Go? Will You Go?

The more clearly Isaiah saw God, the more aware Isaiah became of his own powerlessness and inadequacy to do anything of lasting value without God. But he was willing to be God’s spokesman. When God calls, will you also say, “Send me”?

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. (Isaiah 6:8)
(Life Application Bible Study Devotion)

Are you willing, even if the calls is not one of comfort?

We can say yes, however, when the time comes to go there we balk and fight because the assignment God is calling us to is against the grain…the grain meaning what everybody is doing.

How many have cooked a pot roast? I’m using an example of the pot roast because those things are really fun to cook because you get to put all these great seasonings, and it slow cooks…how many know that the juice cook through and though when that thing slow cooks.

Conversely, nobody likes a dried out and brittle roast, and neither do that like it tough. I used to watch my mother cut the meat and notably, she said that there was a way to cut it that didn’t go against the grain of the meat. The roast is made with these little lines that if cut the wrong way makes it crumble but if slice correctly you have neat thin cuts of meat that look great along side the potatoes and carrots that are waiting….hmmm, aren’t you hungry?

Well, I’m a witness that when the meat is cut correctly there is not a problem chewing and swallowing; however, if it’s not it gets stuck in your teeth and takes forever to get it out.

This is the way people are when they are asked to do something that goes against the grain of their thinking…they fall apart, because after there is a call, nothing is going to work after that…absolutely, nothing until you pick that thing up and do it.

Seemingly, it’s easier to follow the masses, but it takes much work to keep it together when you have to go against the grain, out of the area of comfort. God has been preparing us for this type of cut…seasoning, slow cooking us to desired gifting. Just right to labor.

God is calling us back, will you go?

For your hearing:

Luke 10

Watch: Life and Favor

 

Related articles

• Your Sunday Bread, Can You Go? Will You Go? (grinddaileyissues.com)

Unequally Yoked or Being the Yoke?

Let’s talk about unequally yoked. We have been taught that we should wait on Godly and righteous men and this is a good thought if we can wait; however, the situation pans out many men and women who were not saved when they got marriage but are living righteously now.

Many people were God ordained to be married but someone might not be saved or maybe not delivered just yet. Hence, what we see is that maybe there is need of some perfecting of someone, someone needs see salvation, and someone must need help to become more like Christ. It is not the case that we are going to meet Prince Charming or Princess Charming and be whisked off into eternal blitz…someone needs to grow up and do some serious soul searching. Especially, if we have been married before, why is it that we aren’t bettering ourselves. Oh, I hear the excuses already, he didn’t , she did, and I won’t, I can’t; however, the question I ask brother, sister is what is going on when we find ourselves with other people and something is wrong with them too?

Can it be that if these people have the same problems that we are attracted to those same kinds of people or are drawing them to us; or, can it be my friend that the one thing all these wives, all these husbands has in common is you?

Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers in marriage, and in friendship. So the two have walked together and one turned back and has yet to return to Godliness equals unequally yoked. This is what happens when affairs take place within marriages and the other person must be restored. Our spirits separated, however, it doesn’t have to be adultery it can be any sin or thought that rises itself up against YHWH. Yes, YHWH remember we wrestle not against flesh and blood means that it is YHWH in us who needs to fight, too much of that flesh against flesh and we know that flesh never wins.

Renewing our minds is important…good word today….be not unequally yoked takes many forms. What we must do is find which one and fight the good fight of faith.

Stay in His Presence…

For your hearing:
Romans 12
2 Corinthians 6
Ephesians 6

Related articles

• Come From Among Them and Live (daileytalks.wordpress.com)
• Leave and Cleave (auntieemsguide.wordpress.com)
• Overcoming an Unequal Yoke (bittersweetend.wordpress.com)
• Super-Abridged Bible: Jeremiah (anadder.com)
• “Winning Him Without Words” – Heart Tablets (girlfriendscoffeehour.com)
• Unequally Yoked (sciojournal.wordpress.com)
• Complete, Don’t Compete (auntieemsguide.wordpress.com)

The Truth about Tithing

There are a couple of things to consider when we speak of “Tithes” First we consider that in the Torah that tithing was a feast called once a year by Yah and the tithe was not about money, because of the fact that people had harvest from their crops. Yah required the tithe for the children of Israel and only at a specific place of his choosing where they gather together; along with, the Levites who had no inheritance. If someone had too much surplus(crop) to carry to the designated place then Yah allowed them to sell the surplus for money. Conversely, the tithe was never about money, and it was a feast where the people gathered together to eat and praise Yah for the harvest. See:Leviticus 27:30-32, Numbers 18:20-32.

Now, the tithe has another view and we have to understand that there was no tithe in the church because the government provided and took care of the churches needs. However, the church and state separated; thus, the church was left without support, so the the introduction of the tithe coming from Malachi 3, used today as a guilt trip and condemnation to get people to give money. See: United States Constitution.

The truth is this, there is no tithe other than what is paid when taxes are deducted on your paycheck or a tithe is paid when you help someone by paying their light bill or buying a bill of groceries, and the confirmation comes from the word of God which says, “
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Hope that helps.

Related articles

• My tithing experience (christianpf.com)
• John D. Rockefeller on tithing (christianpf.com)
• Tithing: is it still relevant today? (growup318.com)
• Church Employee Accused of Stealing More Than $100,000 In Tithes (arkansasmatters.com)
• Oh, How We Share! (heraldmagazine.wordpress.com)
• Christians, Generosity, Tithing, & Fancy Cars (ebccrosswalk.wordpress.com)

Light and Darkness Cannot mix

Somebody says to me, “We’re taking the children out to trick or treat today.”

Notably, this a Pastor of a small congregation in the traditional church. A female evangelist who does well in her street ministry and told me that she started her church because when she referred people to different congregations in the area they would come back and report that they were treated harshly by the members who looked at them as trash.

Conversely, when she started the church I was particularly drawn to the fact that this was an area that I needed to familiarize myself with more; that is, that I need more “outside work” where there is actually being face to face with people…leading people to Salvation, assisting with counseling efforts, and praying for all to know the Most High.

So the evangelist called me to say that she needed my assistance in a few areas that she knew that I have worked before, and it turns out that this is good for me to become more skilled.

However, I have strong convictions about Halloween in which I stopped celebrating that evil over 18 years ago.

Ladies and Gentlemen, can anybody tell me how darkness can mix with light? Light shows up the evils of darkness. So this tells me that people are wearing dark “spiritual” sun glasses to prevent the glare of the light.

I said, “I don’t celebrate Halloween.”

She said, “I know, but we renamed it Hallelujah Eve, and it’s for the kids, it’s fun!”

I said, “You can’t rename evil and think that changes it, evil cannot become good no matter how you dress it up!”

She said, “Well that’s what we’re doing.” (end of conversation)

I ask you saints of the Most High God, why can’t you take those “Sun glasses off” to see truth? It is hitting us right in the face, and not only are we worshiping other gods, but leading the children to do the same.

In one breathe we say “don’t take candy from strangers,” and the next we are taking them to the strangers front door!!!

This madness has got to stop! What is more important, your soul or a good time?

Hypocrites!

Related articles

• Halloween- a Celebration of Darkness (ioan17.wordpress.com)
• Churches use Halloween’s pagan roots to grow their flocks (stltoday.com)
• Churches in St. Louis area use Halloween’s pagan roots to grow their flocks (stltoday.com)
• The Tragedy of Halloween (markconner.typepad.com)
• Halloween is Evil? C’mon Man (newenglandfather.com)
• Celebrating Darkness and Evil? (renovationstory.wordpress.com)
• Halloween Decisions (wonderyearsof2.blogspot.com)
• Halloween. Photo: David Secombe, text: Andrew Martin. (thelondoncolumn.com)