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Day 12 Matthew 7:13-14 Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it. How many times throughout your life have you heard or said, “Actions speak louder than words?” What you do, what you say, what you think, all have an impact on the kind of life you live. Jesus told the people to enter through the straight gate, the one leading to eternal life. It was distinct from the wide gate leading to destruction. What is the wide gate? When you pass through the wide gate you will find paths leading off it. They are Complacency, Tolerance, Follow the Crowd, Just Do It, My Way. All those paths lead to destruction. As you walk the narrow path, only wide enough for you and Jesus to walk side by side, with the Holy Spirit leading you, you will see turn-offs leading to the wide gate tempting you with the pleasures of life which will destroy your soul. As long as you keep the Holy Spirit in front of you leading the way, and hold onto Jesus’ hand, you will not be tempted with those things that will destroy both the body and soul in Hell. Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (KJV) Satan is your guide through the wide gate. He will lead you down the many different paths which bring temporary pleasure but leave you feeling hollow. As Christians, you know the narrow path leads to eternal life, and you know the sign posts along the path that will increase your faith and keep you steadfast. These signposts are God’s promises telling you he will never leave you of forsake you. Deuteronomy 4:31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he swore unto them. Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (KJV) Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (KJV) They are signposts of instruction. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (KJV) They are signposts of prosperity. Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that gives thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day. They are the signposts keeping you from sin. Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (KJV) They are signposts showing you the Holy Spirit is leading you. Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. When you see these signposts along the narrow path, you know you are being led by the Holy Spirit and Jesus is walking by your side. You will never stray from the path and take a turnoff to the wide gate leading to destruction and Hell but will inherit eternal life. Let’s pray: Father, let your Holy Spirit guide me down the narrow path. Let me hold tight to Jesus’ hand, keeping your Word ever before me, so I will not be tempted to turn off the path and go through the gate leading to destruction and Hell. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 30 April 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay