Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

Narrow is the Way
Jan 19th, 2020
CommentaryA.Sadlier
Categories: Bible Salvation

The other night I awoke from my sleep and as I lay there my spirit was troubled. I thought upon the issues surrounding the life of the Christian. I thought about separation from error and apostasy, I thought about separation from the world, from worldliness. I thought about spiritual decline and the love of the world in the lives of so many professing believers. I thought about the translation issue and how so few seemed to understand. The contemporary issues of the church and the believer swirled around in my mind. Am I right and so many wrong?

I had a sense of how isolated I was from so many around me, who claim to be believers. I began to cry out to God to give me wisdom and understanding. Lord, teach me your way, help me to discern where I am right and where I might be wrong.

As I lay there, suddenly out of the blue, there came to me the words of Jesus. “Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

I realized afresh that we cannot change the demands of Christ and the Words of Christ in order to open the gate to all those who profess to be believers. That renews our confidence on the narrow road we are walking.  It also leaves us trembling for the many that seem to be self-deceived into thinking they are believers when they give so little evidence of it.

The Words of Jesus ring out, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).

Lord, Teach U.S. to Pray - Luke 11:1
Jan 19th, 2020
Morning MeditationF.B. Meyer
Categories: Commentary;Inspirational;Book Study

It was a wise and good request, prompted by the Saviour's own practice. He did not, in the first instance, command His disciples to pray; but He gave Himself to the blessed practice of prayer, and this made them eager to learn and practice the holy art. This is the best way of inculcating new and holy habits on those who surround us. Do not begin by exhorting them; but by living before them a life so holy, so unselfish, so consecrated and devout, that they shall spontaneously approach you, saying, "Give us your secret; tell us how we may do and become as you." It is a holy life which constitutes our best pulpit.

We should daily ask the Master to teach us to pray. Each time we kneel in prayer we may well preface our petitions with the sentence: "We know not what we should pray for as we ought; but by Thy Holy Spirit, Lord, teach us to pray." And probably the Lord's answer will fall into suggestions, borrowed from the form and model of prayer which He gave His disciples. It has been called the Lord's Prayer; it should be called the Disciples'.

Address prayer to the Father, through the Son. Do not be selfish in prayer; but look out on the needs of others, incorporating them in every petition-us, we, our. Remember, you are speaking to your Father, and that His honor and glory should have a paramount and foremost place. If you desire first the hallowing of His name, and the coming of His kingdom, all your personal needs and desires will fall easily and naturally into their place, which will be a comparatively subordinate one. You will need forgiveness as often and as regularly as your daily bread. Be also, direct and definite in prayer.