Weekend Words

From Beside the Still Waters...

The Narrow Road - Read: Matthew 7:13-27

"Enter ye in at the strait gate ... because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." - Matthew 7:13-14

Several church families moved far away to start a new congregation.  They were told that before they reached their destination, the road would become extremely rough.  Then they would know that they were close to their new homes.  Let's take courage if our spiritual journey seems rough.  We are not promised smooth roads and calm weather.  In fact, Jesus told us the way is narrow and we will have tribulation in this life.  Yes, the right road is often a rough and narrow road.  Home is not far ahead.

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12).  We need to seriously consider the question, Do we have our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus Christ?  If so, God's power will take us through no matter how rough our journey.  But sometimes in our busy, instant-coffee, microwave-orientated lifestyle, we fail to sense or hear God's call on our life.  The still, small voice of the holy spirit is drowned out by our rushing around; a quick trip to the lumber yard for supplies to finish our job, or a rush to the grocery store to get ice cream for our evening visitors.  While driving we may listen to a sermon on a CD; but with the message forgotten and our consciences stilled, we rush on to get our things accomplished.

Jesus can give us rest and peace as we travel the rough road of life.  But sometimes we create our own turbulence by neglecting to spend time with God.  We are promised spiritual security only as we remain on the straight and narrow road.  This road ends with a glorious welcome: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34).  Will we all hear those words?

Denver Yoder - Somerset, OH

The road you travel determines your destination.

From Be Still and Know...

"There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fish: but what are they among so many?" (John 6:9)

One day Jesus had been preaching to a large crowd.  As evening approached, He was aware of their need for food.  The disciples suggested, "Send them to find food."  They were probably thinking, "Our means are insufficient.  It is an impossible task.  Where could we get enough food or enough money to buy food?" 

But Jesus said, "Give ye them to eat."  He asked what food was available.  In the crowd was a little boy with a lunch of five loaves and two fish.  When asked if Jesus could have it, he gave it all to Him, holding nothing back.

Jesus took the lunch of a boy whose name is not known, blessed it, broke it, gave it to the disciples to distribute and the people were satisfied.

We live in a world in need of spiritual food, food that will satisfy the inner hunger of people's lives.  The Lord said, "Give ye THEM to EAT."  He didn't say, "Form a committee or a commission."  He said, "Give YE them to eat."  His means of feeding a spiritually hungry world is through His own people.  His command is for us today.

Sometimes we give God excuses why we cannot be involved in ministering to the spiritual needs of the people.  We feel we have nothing God can use, we say we are too busy, or we have too many home or business responsibilities.

We may feel we have little to offer Him, but little is much when God is in it.  It is not what we have, but what we are doing with what we have.  He uses what we have, but He must have all of it.

How often we limit what God wants to do in our lives.  His power is at our disposal.  When we give Him our all, He takes it and multiplies it by His power.  Then what we do is not in our power but in His.

Do not underestimate what God can do in and with a life that has been placed in His hands to use.

And a quote from Corrie ten Boom...

"Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength - carrying two days at once.  It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time.  Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength."