Bible League: Living His Word “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”— Luke 13:24 NIV There’s a door of opportunity that’s been opened to you. It’s the door of opportunity you have to receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. If you have faith in Him, if you believe in Him and what He has done, then you will be saved. The Bible says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). It’s a great opportunity. Indeed, it’s the greatest opportunity, the ultimate opportunity. It’s no less than the opportunity to escape eternal death and destruction and receive eternal and abundant life. Given this, Jesus’ words in our verse for today make complete sense. You should make every effort to enter through the narrow door of opportunity while it is still open to you. The door is narrow because there is only one way to partake of the opportunity—you must have faith in Jesus. If you want to be saved, if you want to escape eternal death and destruction, then you must have faith in him. There’s no other way. Jesus tells us that many will try to enter the narrow door and will not be able to. Why not? It’s because they will try when it’s too late. It’s because they will try when the door of opportunity is closed to them. Jesus goes on to say, “Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from,’” (Luke 13:25). The narrow door is only open if Jesus has not returned and you’re still alive. If you’re reading this, then you’re still alive and Jesus has not returned yet. The narrow door of opportunity is still open to you. Pay heed, then, to what the Apostle Paul says: "… now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation,” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Make every effort, then, to enter the narrow door today! Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingExodus 31, 32, 33 Exodus 31 -- Craftsmen Bezaleel and Aholiah; the Sabbath Explained NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Exodus 32 -- The Golden Calf and Moses' Anger NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Exodus 33 -- Moses Resumes the Journey and Intercedes for the Israelites NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 22:23-46 Matthew 22 -- Parable of the Wedding Banquet; Render to Caesar; the Greatest Commandment; Sadducees Question Jesus NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion End the evil of those who are wicked,and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God. Insight Nothing is hidden from God—this can be either terrifying or comforting. Our thoughts are an open book to him. Because he knows even our motives, we have no place to hide, no way to pretend we can get away with sin. But that very knowledge also gives us great comfort. Challenge We don't have to impress God or put up a false front. Instead, we can trust God to help us work through our weaknesses in order to serve him as he has planned. When we truly follow God, he rewards our effort. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Songs 1:7 Tell me ... where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon.These words express the desire of the believer after Christ, and his longing for present communion with him. Where doest thou feed thy flock? In thy house? I will go, if I may find thee there. In private prayer? Then I will pray without ceasing. In the Word? Then I will read it diligently. In thine ordinances? Then I will walk in them with all my heart. Tell me where thou feedest, for wherever thou standest as the Shepherd, there will I lie down as a sheep; for none but thyself can supply my need. I cannot be satisfied to be apart from thee. My soul hungers and thirsts for the refreshment of thy presence. "Where dost thou make thy flock to rest at noon?" for whether at dawn or at noon, my only rest must be where thou art and thy beloved flock. My soul's rest must be a grace-given rest, and can only be found in thee. Where is the shadow of that rock? Why should I not repose beneath it? "Why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?" Thou hast companions--why should I not be one? Satan tells me I am unworthy; but I always was unworthy, and yet thou hast long loved me; and therefore my unworthiness cannot be a bar to my having fellowship with thee now. It is true I am weak in faith, and prone to fall, but my very feebleness is the reason why I should always be where thou feedest thy flock, that I may be strengthened, and preserved in safety beside the still waters. Why should I turn aside? There is no reason why I should, but there are a thousand reasons why I should not, for Jesus beckons me to come. If he withdrew himself a little, it is but to make me prize his presence more. Now that I am grieved and distressed at being away from him, he will lead me yet again to that sheltered nook where the lambs of his fold are sheltered from the burning sun. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 139:12 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.Job 34:21,2 "For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps. • "Hear my words, you wise men, And listen to me, you who know. Jeremiah 23:24 "Can a man hide himself in hiding places So I do not see him?" declares the LORD. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" declares the LORD. Psa 91:5,6,9,10 You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day; • Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. • For you have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place. • No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent. Psalm 121:3,5-7 He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. • The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. • The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. • The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
    |