Narrow Gate and Difficult Way

Decisions

 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 7:13-14 

How do we make decisions and choices? What do I do and what don't I do; where do I go and where don't I go; which job should I take; which person should I marry?

Constantly we are faced with choices and we find ourselves at cross roads needing to make decisions.

Should I consider money profit, time profit, the easy way or simply follow the crowd?

The LORD JESUS wants us to ask Him for the right gate and enter by that gate which might not seem inviting to the natural mind. I will be seen as 'Narrow Minded.' The way that He leads us in, may be difficult but it leads to eternal life. The LORD'S presence is with us in our journey on that path.

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 Riches 

Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' " The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Matthew 19:16-24

The gates in the wall of Jerusalem are small. So are the gates of the new Jerusalem, each one a pearl of patience. Let us therefore prepare ourselves and prune down and practice to travel light!

 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.
The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Revelation 21:15, 21, 25-27 

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Commitment in Marriage

The marriage relationship, as commanded by GOD, is a permanent covenant. Even if it is difficult, we are required not to break it. The LORD establishes this relationship, enables us to endure, and molds us within this covenant relationship. 

If marriage is difficult, so also is singlehood. It has its own challenges to keep oneself pure!

The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." His disciples said to Him, "If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry." But He said to them, "All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it." 

Matthew 19:3-12 

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Family Members 

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
Matthew 10:37-39 

When the LORD JESUS comes into our life, He has take first place in all our relationships.

We have to surrender to Him, everything that means 'life' to us!

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Letting CHRIST Live In and Through Me 

Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?" When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend you? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
John 6:60-66 

The LORD requires our natural mind and physical body to conform to His ways.

 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:1-2 

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Rewards! 

 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
Matthew 19:29 

The LORD'S reward is a hundredfold of all that we give up for His sake in addition to eternal life!

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Endurance!

 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 24:13

We must also be determined to persist and persevere on this difficult path until the end of our journey on earth. The LORD Himself enables us by His grace!

 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, 

And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 

To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, 

Be glory and majesty, 

Dominion and power, 

Both now and forever. Amen.
Jude 1:24-25 

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 FOCUS

May our FOCUS be on the LORD JESUS and not on the VIRUS!

 Therefore we also, 

since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 

let us lay aside every weight, 

and the sin which so easily ensnares us, 

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

looking unto Jesus, 

the author and finisher of our faith, 

who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, 

despising the shame, 

and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

 The victorious Christian Life

The relationship between God and man has been broken because man has turned away from God in disobedience. Yet God, in His great love, took the first step to reconcile us to Himself and has done everything on His part to enable us to live a victorious life in Him. Now it is upto each one of us to follow His instructions and be overcomers throughout our life on earth.

Because Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden of Eden, all of us are born with a nature that is sinful and rebellious against God. We may be nice people and we may be doing good and helping others, but we cannot by ourselves attain God's standard of holiness. When we stand before God’s judgment throne at our death, all of us will be found deserving of eternal damnation in hell. The only way of escape is the Lord Jesus Who is the Savior of the world.

 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

The first step towards this victory is to be born again by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, repenting of our sins, receiving forgiveness granted to us through the blood He shed, receiving Him into our hearts and surrendering our life completely to Him. This we do by faith because spiritual things are not seen by the physical eye.

 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17

God’s amazing love that drew this plan of salvation to justify unworthy sinners, is called grace. Grace is extended to undeserving mankind through God’s Son, Jesus.

 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

When we are born again, we become a child of the Most High God and enter the Kingdom of God. We become a part of the worldwide family of born again believers!

You may call yourself a Christian because your parents are Christians or because you go to Church or because you hang around with Christians. You need to believe in the Lord Jesus and be born again spiritually to be a true Christian.

 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

1 Peter 2:1-3

Just as a newborn baby has to feed and grow and develop, we must study and obey the word of God that is the Bible. Our spiritual breath is the Holy Spirit in us. We must learn to listen to His voice and obey His promptings. Every day we should set aside time to spend in the presence of God alone, quietly, to study the Bible, praise God, worship Him and pray to Him.

 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Psalm 100:4

 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 14:13

Jesus is the only door and the only way through Which we may come to Father God.

 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 14:6

The Christian life is a constant decision to deny the rule of our sinful nature so that the Lord Jesus may rule in our lives. We must bring our soul and body under the control of the Holy Spirit.

 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:1-2

As we grow spiritually, the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit become evident in our lives.

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

The Lord Jesus said that we cannot bear fruit unless we abide in the vine. He is the plant and we are the branches that bear the fruit. The changes in attitude and behaviour are the signs of a true Christian who is growing spiritually.

 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

John 15:1-5

The Christian life is a life of love.

 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

1 John 4:7-8

All of God’s commandments are summarised into two main commandments.

 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Matthew 22:37-40

 We love Him because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19

Having received God’s love in our hearts, we let that pure love flow to others. This is how we progress in our Christian walk. So it is necessary to be a part of a Church assembly and be blessed and learn from the leaders and also be a blessing.

 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 13:35

As followers of the Lord, we will be witnesses in the world through our love. We are commissioned to make known the good news of the Gospel so that people will know the love of God and be saved.

 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20

LIFE ETERNAL

LIFE ETERNAL

 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. 

Genesis 2:7

 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
Genesis 2:17 

 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:2

And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8:10-11

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 
John 17:1-3

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 
1 John 5:11-12

 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
John 11:25-26 

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 
1 John 1:1-3

 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "
Matthew 4:4

But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 
John 6:68

Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." Therefore they said to Him, "What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do?Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' " Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 
John 6:28-35

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." 
John 8:12

 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:4-5 

 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 

 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 
Psalm 16:11 

The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below. 
Proverbs 15:24

"Now you shall say to this people, 'Thus says the Lord: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. 
Jeremiah 21:8

 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.
Psalm 36:8-9

but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
John 4:14

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
John 7:38 

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. 
Revelation 22:17

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 
Revelation 22:1-3

And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 
Genesis 2:9

Then the Lord God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"-- therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. 
Genesis 3:22-24 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." ' 
Revelation 2:7

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. 
Proverbs 3:13-18

 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 

Revelation 13:8

 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
Revelation 3:5

And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
Philippians 4:3

Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
Luke 10:20 

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:11-15

But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Revelation 21:27

It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Revelation 13:7-8 

 The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness. 

Proverbs 16:31

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 
James 1:12

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:10

  The breath of life that GOD breathed into Adam and Eve, was His very Spirit that is eternal. That breath gave life that knew only good; enabled them to live connected and in relationship with GOD; Thus they were blessed; Everything was blessed and conditions were perfect; Their bodies were perfect and they were clothed with the glory of GOD! They could eat of the tree of life and live eternally.

When Adam and Eve listened to the serpent, that perfect relationship with GOD was cut off and they died spiritually. When spirituality dies, carnality takes over. 

Just as Adam and Eve made a conscious decision to obey the devil and reject GOD'S word, we have the responsibility now to make a conscious decision to accept GOD, the LORD JESUS, Who comes into us as the Holy Spirit. He is the breath of life Who restores us back to relationship with GOD.

Thus we are as it were, fitted in with the fountain of life which originates from the river of life from the throne of GOD. This free flow of the Holy Spirit is able to quench our spiritual thirst and flows out of our innermost being, bringing spiritual refreshing and blessing to others.

This water of life also makes our life like a fruitful tree of life, bearing the fruit of the Spirit - the attitudes we carry that resemble those of the LORD JESUS and manifest works of righteousness through us. This is the spiritual life that shines as the light of life, drawing others to GOD!

We grow in this spiritual life by feeding on the word of life written in the Bible. JESUS was the physical manifestation of the Word and continues as the Bread of Life Who nourishes our soul as we meditate on Him and abide in Him and He abides in us.

Thus JESUS, Who is the Way of life, guides us on the path of life towards the New Jerusalem.

As we diligently study and follow the instructions given in the Bible, our mind is renewed and we receive a spiritual mindset which is the crown of life. As our hearts remain humble and we are quick to repent of our wrong doings, our sins are blotted out by the blood of the Lamb of GOD. We will then be overcomers and our name will not be blotted out from the Book of life. When death is swallowed up in victory, our spirit and soul that is redeemed will receive an incorruptible body that is clothed with the glory of GOD and we will enter the new Jerusalem where we will live forever in the glorious presence of the Almighty GOD! 

Nothing of the bad, ugly or wicked will be found in heaven. Everything that is good and beautiful will be unimaginably far more glorious! There is no restriction of time and space in heaven, hence no rush or stress!

Since we have such a great hope of eternity, let us prepare while on earth, by entering into rest with the LORD, making peace with Him. Let us develop a spiritual mindset because the carnal mind is death but the spiritual mind is life and peace. Let us not be preoccupied with earthly things as they are only a shadow of heaven. 

Only when we die will we be resurrected. So let us learn to put to death our life of the flesh - the worldliness, lust, selfishness and pride so that we may live as led by the Holy Spirit. Then on the last day we will be raised to eternal life in CHRIST! 

 https://youtu.be/F2emsPPCH4c

 

We All Need GOD!

 

We All Need GOD!

So bad, very sad

  Such a cad, wrongly clad,

    Poor dad, Mum mad,

      Spoilt lad, off a tad,

We’d all be drowned in Noah’s flood,

Unless, yes, unless we’re washed in JESUS’ Blood,

So let’s all pray and plead the Blood,

The Precious, Powerful, Cleansing Blood, 

That is the solution,

To clear the pollution.

JESUS came to save, not to condemn,

  Let’s also save and not condemn,

    We can’t fight FOR GOD; HE IS GOD!

      We fight FOR people; They need GOD!

              

                    WE ALL NEED GOD!!

The Move!

The Move!

Sorting

 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:12-13 

As a family, we are in the process of sorting and clearing things in our home in which we have lived for over 11years! In this process, I pull everything out of a room, cupboard, shelf , drawer, box or bag I have decided to work on. Then I examine each item and decide whether I need to keep it, give it away or throw it away! Those things that I don't need, may be useful for someone else. If I can't think of a person who could make use of it, I put it in a bag for the second hand or Samaritan's store. Everything that stays needs to be put in the right place. 

 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old." 
Matthew 13:47-52 

When I clear the things in my home, I have a sense of peace that my life is being sorted and cleared. Most of the time a tidy house is an indication of a clear mind and a disciplined life.

Garbage 

And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. 

Luke 23:33-34 

In this process I am so very thankful for the city council that has given us a big garbage bin which is also cleared every week! When we have decided what shouldn't or needn't stay in our home, we simply dump it in the bin and it is not seen anymore! What a blessing that is!!

 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:7-9 

Recyclables 

 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:1-2 

My husband and I together with our son thought of moving home. Although the purchase of a new house and the sale of our current house is put on hold right now, it could happen any time, depending on the housing market. Taking time now to clear our stuff will enable us to move at short notice without much stress! It also gives us the opportunity to sort things out wisely so that each item is given away to the right person who would appreciate it and make good use of it. Many things that have been useful to me in the house, I pass down to our daughter! 

We will not have time to sit and sort out things when this house is sold and the move is on! Everything will have to be cleared from the house and then the house will have to be thoroughly cleaned and handed over to the buyer.

 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming--in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-- lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
Mark 13:32-37 

Treasures 

 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 
Matthew 6:19-21 

One purpose of our move is to downsize. Initially we had our two sons living with us in this home. Our daughter who got married also moved in with her husband for a few months. Then our grandkids were brought here often and our games room was put into good use! Now two of our children are married and only one lives with us. The house is too big for us besides the maintenance of the garden is difficult. Hence the idea of the move!

The apartment we plan to move into is much smaller and cannot accommodate the furniture and things we have collected over the 11 years. We have to let go of many things including some sentimental stuff!

Although it is not easy to let go of things, there is the joy of anticipation of new experiences in the new home. Now my thoughts are more on setting up the new house than the current one. I am preparing for the move by sorting out things and clearing and willing to let go of everything that will not be be fitting in the new abode! 

 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
1 Timothy 6:6-19 

Judge Not

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. 

Matthew 7:1-5 

while I sort out my things, my husband sorts out his things and our son sorts and clears his stuff. I tend to be radical in handling their things as I don't seem to understand their values. Often they say to me, "Don't throw that; I need to keep that", although it would seem to me as a useless thing! Therefore we realize that in this process we have to exercise much patience and understanding towards one another.

 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.
Romans 14:10-13 

Judgment 

"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 
Matthew 25:31-32 

When at last our move happens, we will not regret the time and effort we put in to sort out things in our house! Each item small or big, valuable or trash has to be accounted for and has to go to the right place. The old house has to be completely emptied. Only things that are suitable can be taken to the new house.

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 
Hebrews 9:27 

 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:9-10

  

Rest

 And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 
Exodus 33:14 

The home is a resting place. People finish their day's work and rush home to rest. Home is the best place to relax and rest! 

Rest to the soul is peace. We find it hard to rest and sleep when there is no peace.

GOD is our Resting place when we have Faith in Him, Believe in what He says and live in Submission to His Word and Obedience to His Voice.

 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
Hebrews 4:9-10 

Ready or not, Here I Come! 

 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." 
Revelation 1:7-8 

Are you getting ready for the big move?

Are you sorting out every motive and attitude?

Are you constantly clearing the garbage of sin through repentance so that you may receive forgiveness at the cross of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and cleansing by His precious Blood?

Are you living in an intimate relationship with the LORD?

Is GOD'S love flowing through you to others?

Are you freely sharing the good news of the Gospel so that souls may be saved?

Are you imparting your knowledge to edify others?

Are you making use of the Spiritual gifts you have been given to encourage others?

Are you abounding in good works?

Are you sharing your material possessions with those in need?

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 
Revelation 22:20

Ready?

An Open Invitation! COME!!

 COME!

The invitation is to everyone.

Children, Old people, Middle aged, Everyone!

COME!

 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord,

 "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; 

Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

GOD has made a way and it is the only way to have our sins forgiven so that we may be saved from eternal damnation: It is through the Lamb of GOD, the Son of GOD, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who came to this earth in the form of man. He suffered and died on the cross to take the punishment of sin of all mankind on Himself. His blood still has power to cleanse us of all our sin and set us free from the guilt and shame of sin so that we may live victoriously

and at the end of our time on earth may enter Heaven!

Come to the Lamb of GOD Who takes away the sin of the world!

Come Down 

 And when Jesus came to the place, 

He looked up and saw him, and said to him,

 "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, 

for today I must stay at your house."

Luke 19:5

The LORD desires to enter our heart and our home.

Let us come down from our pride and arrogance,

humble ourselves and invite Him in.

Come Forth

 Now when He had said these things, 

He cried with a loud voice, 

"Lazarus, come forth!" 

And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, 

and his face was wrapped with a cloth. 

Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."

John 11:43-44

The LORD is calling you forth from death into spiritual life!

He is calling you by name.

"--------- , come forth!"

Come And See! 

Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 

And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, 

"Behold the Lamb of God!" 

The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 

Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, 

"What do you seek?" 

They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), 

"where are You staying?" 

He said to them, "Come and see." 

They came and saw where He was staying, 

and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

John 1:35-39

Once we hear about the LORD, it is necessary for each one of us

to individually come to Him and see for ourselves.

He is beautiful: He is the Lover of our soul!

 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 

"We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, 

and also the prophets, wrote-

-Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 

And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" 

Philip said to him, "Come and see." 

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, 

"Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!"

John 1:45-47

Having met with JESUS, we will be urged to invite those who are dear to us,

to come and see JESUS.

 "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. 

Could this be the Christ?"

John 4:29

Then little children were brought to Him 

that He might put His hands on them and pray, 

but the disciples rebuked them. 

But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, 

and do not forbid them; 

for of such is the kingdom of heaven." 

And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

Matthew 19:13-15

Having come to the LORD, we must let others come to JESUS.

 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, 

Simon Peter's brother. 

He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, 

"We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ).

 And he brought him to Jesus. 

Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, 

"You are Simon the son of Jonah. 

You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone).

John 1:40-42

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. 

And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, 

"What do you want Me to do for you?" 

He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight." 

Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." 

And immediately he received his sight, 

and followed Him, glorifying God. 

And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Luke 18:40-43

We must also bring others who need salvation, healing and deliverance, to the Saviour.

 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; 

and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, 

"Come and see."

Revelation 6:1

Setting extended periods of time aside to seek the LORD

would open our eyes to the spiritual realm.

He will then open our eyes to understand also the happenings of the end times.

When He opened the second seal, 

I heard the second living creature saying, 

"Come and see."

Revelation 6:3

When He opened the third seal,

 I heard the third living creature say, 

"Come and see." 

So I looked, and behold, a black horse, 

and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.

Revelation 6:5

When He opened the fourth seal, 

I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying,

 "Come and see."

Revelation 6:7

Come Up Here!

And He went up on the mountain and called to Him 

those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. 

Then He appointed twelve, 

that they might be with Him 

and that He might send them out to preach, 

and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:

Mark 3:13-15

Climbing up a mountain is not easy.

It takes effort, energy and time.

You have to pull yourself up against gravity.

It is also a spiritual reality.

We have to let go of our earthly pursuits,

turn away from carnality to seek the LORD.

And the Lord said to Moses,

 "Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, 

and I will write on these tablets

 the words that were on the first tablets which you broke. 

So be ready in the morning, 

and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, 

and present yourself to Me there on the top of the mountain.

Exodus 34:1-2

If we take such an effort to seek the LORD, He will reveal Himself to us.

He will reveal His word to us.

He will reveal His ways to us.

 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days 

That the mountain of the Lord's house Shall be established 

on the top of the mountains, 

And shall be exalted above the hills; 

And all nations shall flow to it. 

Many people shall come and say, 

"Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, 

To the house of the God of Jacob; 

He will teach us His ways, 

And we shall walk in His paths." 

For out of Zion shall go forth the law, 

And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 

He shall judge between the nations, 

And rebuke many people; 

They shall beat their swords into plowshares, 

And their spears into pruning hooks; 

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, 

Neither shall they learn war anymore. 

O house of Jacob, 

come and let us walk In the light of the Lord.

Isaiah 2:1-5

Having this wonderful experience,

we will then invite and encourage others to so seek the LORD.

 After these things I looked, and behold,

 a door standing open in heaven. 

And the first voice which I heard 

was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, 

"Come up here, 

and I will show you things which must take place after this." 

Immediately I was in the Spirit; 

and behold, a throne set in heaven, 

and One sat on the throne.

Revelation 4:1-2

The mysteries of the end times will be revealed to those

who diligently seek to know and walk in obedience.

Then one of the seven angels

 who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues 

came to me and talked with me, saying, 

"Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." 

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, 

and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, 

descending out of heaven from God,

Revelation 21:9-10

 Now after the three-and-a-half days 

the breath of life from God entered them, 

and they stood on their feet, 

and great fear fell on those who saw them. 

And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, 

"Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, 

and their enemies saw them.

Revelation 11:11-12 

While on earth, if we resort to the LORD continually spiritually,

one day we will be ushered into His glorious presence

to be with Him eternally!

 Come To Me

 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, 

and I will give you rest. 

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, 

for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.

 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

If your soul is restless come to JESUS.

Pour out your heart to Him.

He came down in the form of man so that He could understand

life on earth with all its problems.

He has made provision for you to be freed of your yoke

if you would take His yoke on yourself.

 Come Into The Ark 

 Then the Lord said to Noah, 

"Come into the ark, you and all your household, 

because I have seen 

that you are righteous before Me in this generation.

Genesis 7:1

The ark depicts GOD'S instruction and man's obedience

resulting in protection and provision in the time of judgement.

Listen, obey and then rest, trusting in the LORD!

 Come, Inherit The Kingdom

 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 

'Come, you blessed of My Father, 

inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Matthew 25:34

This would be the invitation given at the end of the age to those

who reach out to the poor and needy among GOD'S people.

 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect,

 go, sell what you have and give to the poor, 

and you will have treasure in heaven; 

and come, follow Me."

Matthew 19:21

and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, 

'Come, for all things are now ready.'

But they all with one accord began to make excuses.

The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it.

I ask you to have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them.

I ask you to have me excused.' Still another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.'

 So that servant came and reported these things to his master. 

Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, 

'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, 

and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.' 

And the servant said, 'Master, it is done as you commanded, 

and still there is room.' 

Then the master said to the servant, 

'Go out into the highways and hedges, 

and compel them to come in, 

that my house may be filled.

Luke 14:17, 21-23

The invitation has been extended to us to the feast at the end of the age.

Let us value this great privilege and not despise it.

Things of this world, riches, new things we purchase can easily take priority

and cause us to miss out on eternal things.

JESUS said, "It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of GOD."

The LORD also wants us to extend this invitation to others

and compel many to come!

 Come Out Of Babylon 

 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, 

"Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, 

and has become a dwelling place of demons, 

a prison for every foul spirit, 

and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!

 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, 

the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, 

and the merchants of the earth have become rich 

through the abundance of her luxury." 

And I heard another voice from heaven saying, 

"Come out of her, my people, 

lest you share in her sins, 

and lest you receive of her plagues.

Revelation 18:2-4

Babylon depicts worldliness and the riches of this world.

GOD will judge Babylon and it will fall.

If we as GOD'S people do not walk out of Babylon

but remain under its bondage, we will be plagued as well!

 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls 

came and talked with me, saying to me, 

"Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot 

who sits on many waters, 

with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, 

and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk 

with the wine of her fornication."

Revelation 17:1-2

"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; 

And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. 

Yes, come, buy wine and milk 

Without money and without price. 

Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

 And your wages for what does not satisfy? 

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, 

And let your soul delight itself in abundance. 

Incline your ear, and come to Me.

 Hear, and your soul shall live;

And I will make an everlasting covenant with you-

- The sure mercies of David.

Isaiah 55:1-3

We must trade earthly blessings for eternal:

We must trade Babylon for Jerusalem.

Only the LORD JESUS is able to give us

Living Bread and Living Water that satisfy our soul.

How often we mistakenly try to satisfy our soul with

physical bread, water and wine, resulting in gluttony,

overeating, and drunkenness!

Our money is also wasted!

On the last day, that great day of the feast, 

Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

John 7:37

Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast."

 Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, 

"Who are You?"--knowing that it was the Lord.

John 21:12

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" 

And let him who hears say, "Come!" 

And let him who thirsts come. 

Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. 

For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: 

If anyone adds to these things, 

God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 

and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, 

God shall take away his part from the Book of Life,

 from the holy city, 

and from the things which are written in this book. 

He who testifies to these things says, 

"Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 22:17-20

 Wisdom has built her house, 

She has hewn out her seven pillars; 

She has slaughtered her meat, 

She has mixed her wine, 

She has also furnished her table. 

She has sent out her maidens, 

She cries out from the highest places of the city, 

"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" 

As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, 

"Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed. 

Forsake foolishness and live, 

And go in the way of understanding.

Proverbs 9:1-6

 "Return, you backsliding children, 

And I will heal your backslidings."

 "Indeed we do come to You, 

For You are the Lord our God.

Jeremiah 3:22

If you are in a backslidden state, the LORD is calling you back to Himself.

Come back before it is too late!

 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, 

and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 

For I have come down from heaven, 

not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

John 6:37-38

O Come Let Us Adore Him!

 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! 

Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

Psalm 95:1

He alone is worthy of all our praise and all our worship!

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; 

Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Psalm 95:6

COME!

Let others come.

Bring others.

Compel them to COME!!

https://youtu.be/JC2NgfkfD5c