Good Night!! {this short two word statement is being used as an expression of utter disgust} Black Friday is one of the "Wide Gate" flood gates of driven obsession. Every year the bar for "gotta have it" is raised to ridiculous frenzied proportions. Now (FRIDAY)we have folks armed with pepper spray and guns to get that Xbox or iPad 2 at a price lower than any other possible day in history. In years past "Black Friday" used to be a game day...see who can get there first??? Not any more. It has become a planned "heist" day..."I am coming out of that store with...it, no matter who I offend, who I walk over, who I hurt, or who I have to kill".
"It" is not the way out of the"Wide Gate".
"It" is not the way out of boredom.Read the scripture below with an understanding of the word "strait" and the word "cross" -- they both come from the same route word in the original language..."histemi". This word means: to make to stand, to fix so as to establish, to make firm, to uphold authority, the middle of the balance for scales, to stand near, to stand immovable, to continue safe and sound.
Luke 13:24
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (this strait gate is not entered by great wisdom or unusual strength? although wisdom and strength are admired by the "wide gate crowd")
Luke 9:23-25
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (My fixation , my established life needs to be uprooted and carried as I follow Jesus ... the only cross that needs to stay fixed is His)
I Corinthians 1:18
Luke 9:23-25
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (My fixation , my established life needs to be uprooted and carried as I follow Jesus ... the only cross that needs to stay fixed is His)
I Corinthians 1:18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (Believing the Truth of the Cross of Christ is where we find His creative power exciting and our boredom fading)
The only way out of the "wide gate" mold...is to exert your spiritual athletics in yanking your fixation away from YOU, and focusing your life on following Him. Oh by the way! Following Jesus doesn't mean you shun things...no, not at all...BUT you realize the things that you are allowed to acquire, are not to establish your life, but are given as tools to reach others.
Strive to Enter the "Cross" Gate.
HLFA,
Jeff
The only way out of the "wide gate" mold...is to exert your spiritual athletics in yanking your fixation away from YOU, and focusing your life on following Him. Oh by the way! Following Jesus doesn't mean you shun things...no, not at all...BUT you realize the things that you are allowed to acquire, are not to establish your life, but are given as tools to reach others.
Strive to Enter the "Cross" Gate.
HLFA,
Jeff