Category Archives: Broad road or the Straight Gate?

What A Sad Change??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #384

10 Wednesday Sep 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Broad road or the Straight Gate?, Broken Cisterns, Busy-ness or Business?

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What A Sad Change??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #384

“Hath a nation changed their gods,

which are yet no gods?

but my people have changed their glory

for that which doth not profit.

12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this,

and be horribly afraid,

be ye very desolate,

saith the LORD.

13 For my people have committed two evils;

they have forsaken me

the fountain of living waters,

and hewed them out cisterns,

broken cisterns,

that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2::11-13

I can’t help but feel that God could have sent this message to America now, instead of Israel—it fits; especially when we have leaders who are now telling us that our liberties aren’t a God-given asset, but rather a “government-given” and “government-controlled” operating system; claiming that our country wasn’t founded on Biblical, Judeo-Christian principles and the Bible!  Talk about a “broken cistern”!

I truly pray that we will pray for our country, for our leaders (regardless of political affiliation), and for God’s own people to humble ourselves and come to the cross seeking cleansing, grace and restoration to biblical principles in our lives, our families, our schools and our government (and I’m not talking about cramming religion down the throats of those who aren’t interested, for truly religion without the redemption offered at the cross is futile, but I am talking about those who love truth to stand up for it!)!  But I also believe that we haven’t stood up because most don’t even know God’s Word enough to stand.  We have forsaken the living water for that which is stagnant!

Jesus encountered a woman with this very problem—and His instruction to her, is still what people need today—especially those who are going to a well that can’t satisfy their soul!  Let’s consider Jesus’ message to this woman!

“There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her,

Give me to drink.

8 (For his disciples were gone away

unto the city to buy meat.)

9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him,

How is it that thou,

being a Jew,

askest drink of me,

 which am a woman of Samaria?

for the Jews have no dealings

with the Samaritans.

10 Jesus answered and said unto her,

If thou knewest the gift of God,

and who it is that saith to thee,

Give me to drink;

thou wouldest have asked of him,

and he would have given thee

living water.

11 The woman saith unto him,

Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with,

and the well is deep:

from whence then hast thou that living water?

12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob,

which gave us the well,

and drank thereof himself,

and his children,

and his cattle?

13 Jesus answered and said unto her,

Whosoever drinketh of this water

shall thirst again:

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water

that I shall give him

shall never thirst;

but the water that I shall give him

shall be in him a well of water

springing up into everlasting life.

15 The woman saith unto him,

Sir, give me this water,

that I thirst not,

neither come hither to draw.”  John 4:7-15

Notice that Jesus told this woman that the “water” that He would give her would be a:                           Well of water…

                                    Springing up into everlasting life…

                                    That we would never thirst…

                                    That His water is living water…

Who could give this kind of water, “living water”?  Only The One who actually made water to begin with.  He not only can but will give unto those who come to HIM in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice.  We must, like the woman at the well, choose whom and what we will believe!  She believed and received, then she shared His truth with those in her town.  What are we doing with Jesus and His truth?  Are we flourishing in this living water, or are we living with spiritual dehydration?  Are we trying to drink from “broken cisterns”, as God told Jeremiah to share, trying to drink from that which cannot hold water.  I find it interesting that we use that phrase regularly, to refer to something that isn’t worthy of credence, yet we refuse the offer of Jesus’ living water, attempting to provide our own resources, when we do, we will find that we have an unquenchable thirst.  Jesus position as creator is established in scripture.  John 1 is one of those passages, as the Apostle John begins His gospel, not at Bethlehem, but in eternity past—not the beginning of “God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”—but the beginning of mankind and the earthly creation; and John makes it clear that Jesus was and is the creator along with His Father and the Holy Spirit.

“In the beginning was

the Word, and

the Word was with God, and

the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness;

and the darkness comprehended it not.”  John 1:1-5

Another perspective of provision is found in the model prayer that Jesus gave to His disciples.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.”  Matthew 6:9-11

Jesus told us to seek God for HIS will, HIS timing, and HIS provision for our sustenance (food and water)!  Whose provision are you depending upon; Jesus? Or broken cisterns?  Cisterns which can’t hold water.  Jesus is my all-in-all, and He can and will provide if we will but come to Him, believing as the woman at the well did!  One of Jesus’ final calls to come is another opportunity for you to receive this living water?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.

“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify

unto you

these things in the churches.

I am the root and the offspring of David,

and the bright and morning star.

17 And the Spirit and the bride say,

Come.

And let him that heareth say, Come.

And let him that is athirst come.

And whosoever will,

let him take the water of life freely.”             Revelation 22:16-17

True confidence will usually result in contentment!  Paul gives us a most profound principle for this contentment!

“But godliness with contentment

is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment

let us be therewith content.”  1 Timohty 6:7-8

I pray that you know The Living Water—His name is Jesus and He gave His life for you to be saved!  (Read John chapter 3!)

Amen and Amen!!!

Two Masters Or Just One??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #377

18 Monday Aug 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Broad road or the Straight Gate?, Building up or Tearing down?, By Him We Live, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Christ IS Alive!, Church:Dead Or Alive?, Cleansed from all sin, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Master Builder

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Two Masters Or Just One? A Word from THE WORD!!! #377

I want us to think about our focus, our allegiance, devotion and service today; we live in a world determined to distract us, to lead us astray from God, and lead men, women, boys and girls straight to hell!  Oh, how I pray that you will consider these things and choose to examine yourself and evaluate your own allegiance.  Jesus makes it clear that He is to be our total focus!

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth and rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves

break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust

doth corrupt,

and where thieves do not

break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.

22 The light of the body is the eye:

if therefore thine eye be single,

thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil,

thy whole body

shall be full of darkness.

If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness,

how great is that darkness!

24 No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

25 Therefore I say unto you,

Take no thought for your life,

what ye shall eat,

or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat,

and the body than raiment?”  Matthew 6:19-25

Jesus clearly tells us that we have a choice of mindset; we can set our minds on earthly things or the heavenly things, and the reward will be given accordingly.  If we spend all our time seeking and keeping earthly treasures, we may be neglecting the eternal treasures.  And in this same chapter, Jesus reiterates this same principle.

“Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat? or,

What shall we drink? or,

Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly Father

knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow:

for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:31-34

I pray that we will heed the words of our Lord, and measure our choices by HIS WORD, and not popular opinion—in our behavior, our speech, our actions and activities.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test; but even more than that, Jesus gave us instruction to pray very specifically, and it surely lends credence to His words here.

“But when ye pray,

use not vain repetitions,

as the heathen do:

for they think that they shall be heard

for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them:

for your Father knoweth

what things ye have need of,

before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.”  Matthew 6:7-11

Let’s just peruse some of these ideas that Jesus was calling us to consider; if we want to please our master (if Jesus is your master, if not then you can bow before Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sins) our focus needs to be on today!  We aren’t to fall into vain repletion, thinking that we can twist God’s arm (so to speak) and get what we want.  Our desire is to be what God wants us to be and do in and through the lives of His own, and when I belong to Jesus, I can understand what the Proverb is saying to me!

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another man praise thee,

and not thine own mouth;

a stranger,

and not thine own lips.”  Proverbs 27:1-2

Peter has some great advice for us, and I encourage you to heed his words, for God is faithful who has promised!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:  

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 5:6-11

In closing, I simply want to ask, “Who is your master?”  Have you come to Jesus or are you going your own way—even if it’s a ‘religious’ way, if you haven’t been born again as Jesus said (John 3:1-19), you are still going your way; yet you can bow before Him, and give Him your life, and let Jesus save you today.

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Even as John tells us, may we come to the cross; if you hear His voice don’t turn away without Him?

“But if we walk in the light,

`as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:7-10

I will pray for you as the Psalmist says:

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

Who’s your master? May you hear and heed His voice?

Amen and Amen!!!

Which Way Am I Going??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #245

02 Friday Aug 2024

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Broad road or the Straight Gate?, Building on The Rock or The Sand?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Salvation

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Which Way Am I Going???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #245

“There is a way which seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12                          (also repeated in Proverbs 16:25)

As we watch the world sink deeper and deeper into chaos, fear and sin, we must take the advice of Paul, and “withstand in the evil day”!  And my dear friends, that evil day is here!  So I just want to spend time with you all today considering which way we are headed.  There are only two choices—heaven or hell; for the “blood of Jesus cleanseth us from all sin” and promises eternal life to those who will come to Him in faith/trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—and sin is the issue.

Jesus also talked about the choice of ways to go, let’s peruse His advice.  And one of the things that Jesus tells us is that we are to be wise about who we listen to—we must know HIS WORD—for there are those who are false.  Just because someone says “Baa Baa” doesn’t mean they are real sheep!  The wolves are all around us.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”   Matthew 7:13-15

Joshua also called the children of Israel that they had a choice about the way they would go.  Things haven’t changed—the choice is still yours and mine, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“Now therefore

fear the LORD,

and serve him in sincerity

and in truth:

and put away the gods which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:14-15

What I want each of us to consider is which way are we going; for we can’t say we are going Jesus’ way, and live like the devil, following the false prophets, and living wicked lives and claiming the grace of God, while walking the other way.  The writer of Proverbs said it, Jesus said it, and Joshua said it—which way will you choose?  I’ll stand with God’s truth, and Paul said it best in my mind.  Will you join me in choosing to follow Jesus rather than the world?  Remember God knows, and there is a test!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

Who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Gal. 2:20

Amen & Amen!!!

Know Him-Love HIM-Do You??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #232

26 Wednesday Jun 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Broad road or the Straight Gate?, Building up or Tearing down?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Confidence, Encouragement, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Forgiveness, He was born to die for our sin, He's Alive, Hearing God, Heaven or Hell?, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Salvation, The Word, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Turn to God's Word

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Know Him-Love HIM-Do You??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #232

We talked last time about being still and knowing that God IS God, and in this crazy, troubled, uncertain world it’s often hard to be still; yet we need to remember our childhood lesson to “stop, look, and listen”, stop running from God and turn around running to Him, looking up to seek His grace, mercy and wisdom, and listening to His direction for our lives…oh, what a difference we would see and know!  Take some time today to stop for a few, look up to Jesus, and listen for His voice; He is ever ready to meet you where you are—and He already knows where you are and what you really need!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will

come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

Jesus calls us to Himself!  Have you heard the voice of Jesus calling you?  Are you already His, but you’re confused, tired, frustrated—let go and listen to your shepherd—Jesus!!!

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

Jesus is Lord—He is my shepherd—He IS God—and He IS coming back soon!  Are you ready!  Live today with Him, for Him and by His power, grace and truth (dig into His Word!!!)!  Who do you belong to?  Jesus?  The world?  Your fleshly desires and lusts?  Your greed?  Your goals?

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”  John 8:12 

Get out of that dark cellar and look to the “light of the world” and follow Him. Again remember that childhood song we all sang about letting our “little light shine” and the refrain that taught us to not “let Satan blow it out”!  The enemy is ever after us, but we have victory in Jesus when we but stop, look and listen!  (that might make a great song…)!  And if you don’t know Jesus, don’t miss His voice calling you—the wrong way will always look appealing, but it leads the wrong way and only brings destruction and death.  Let’s examine Jesus’ call to all!  A call to His own to shine as a reflection of the true light of the world; if you don’t know Him, He calls you to choose the straight/narrow way and walk with Him.  The journey isn’t easy, but He is ever faithful to walk with us!

“Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine

before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father

which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus’ great warning of the difference between the two roads; the two choice that we each face; it’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test (and a consequence—you are free to choose but the choice carries its own consequence.)!  Jesus knows your heart!  As my mother used to say, “You can fool all of the people some of the time; you can fool some of the people all the time; but you can’t fool God!” Remember, the majority isn’t always right!  Will you be part of the “few” or the “many”?

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will

of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:21-23

God is ever faithful to care for His own.  Jesus has never failed me, and HE won’t fail you either.  Jesus knows His own and He always cares—delivering right on time; and His Word is the standard not the opinions of the world—regardless of how popular they seem to be!  Trust Him today if you haven’t!

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

 but all things are naked

and opened

unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:12-16

May the grace and love of Jesus overflow your soul today!

Amen and Amen!!!

Examples Of Godly Character!!! A Word from THE WORD!!! #215

01 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Boldness without arrogance., Broad road or the Straight Gate?, Changed Lives, Dignity, Diligence, Discernment, Discipline, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Fearlessness, Godly Character, Godly Wisdom, Many or Few?

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Examples Of Godly Character??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #215

One of my favorite characters in the scripture is Daniel, who not only came out of the lion’s den unscathed, but he also served God and man with honor, wisdom, discretion, and dignity; so I’d like to consider some of the evidence of his character from the book which bears his name.  Character which I think we can pursue to emulate!

“Now among these were of the children of Judah,

Daniel,

Hananiah,

Mishael,

and Azariah:

7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs

gave names:

for he gave

unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar;

and to Hananiah, of Shadrach;

and to Mishael, of Meshach;

and to Azariah, of Abednego.

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested

of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.

9 Now God had brought Daniel

 into favour and tender love

with the prince of the eunuchs.”  Daniel 1:6-9

Here we find this amazing teenager who has been taken captive, brought to a faraway land to serve a pagan king, behaving with a genuine devotion to God Almighty and willing to take a stand—but not a fit-throwing stand—but a stand with respect for those in authority over him, he “requested” permission to be excused from the King’s ordered diet to honor his God.  Oh, that we could learn from Daniel to be respectful, honorable, and humbly submitted to those in authority, even when we disagree.  We have obviously created a culture of what I think is responding to misbehavior, just to have peace and quiet (so to speak), and it makes me sad.  Daniel shows us how to be faithful to our God without acting like a spoiled child.  Daniel stood with dignity, respect and I believe humility as he asked to be allowed to have a special diet—a simple one not something extravagant or unreasonable.

God was already working on behalf of Daniel and his friends and had given them favor with the one directly over them, and yet when this official was fearful to give Daniel an exemption of different food than the king had commanded, Daniel went respectfully to the next higher official and offered him an alternative to endangering their lives in changing the king’s order.

“Then said Daniel to Melzar,

whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee,

ten days;

and let them give us pulse to eat,

and water to drink.

13 Then let our countenances be looked upon

before thee,

and the countenance of the children that eat

of the portion of the king’s meat:

and as thou seest,

deal with thy servants.

14 So he consented to them in this matter,

and proved them ten days.

15 And at the end of ten days

their countenances

appeared fairer and fatter in flesh

than all the children which did eat

the portion of the king’s meat.

16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink;

and gave them pulse.

17 As for these four children,

God gave them

knowledge and skill

in all learning and wisdom:

and Daniel had understanding

in all visions and dreams.”  Daniel 1:11-17

How sad that we don’t have people in our government with this kind of skill in diplomacy!  It breaks my heart that we seem to have only extremists (on both sides) and very few, if any, real diplomats—diplomacy is a skill that is so needed in our culture and our world—prayer and personal obedience is the only key that I can find to resolve the needs in our world!  May we be faithful “pray-ers”!

Yet consider Daniel, he offers himself and his friends to be tested and let God’s power, provision and work be made manifest.  We are often so busy promoting our own agenda, that we don’t give God the opportunity to shine through our humble obedience with Daniel-like diplomacy and faith!  It saddens me when I hear songs, and messages calling for real spiritual revival with “shouting, handclapping, and other physically obvious indicators” while leaving unmentioned the fact that real heaven-sent, Holy Ghost revival starts on our knees, in personal repentance, tears of regret and a heart that is willing to let God “show me” what I need to repent of as I seek to yield to HIM!  Oh, my friend, let’s seek our God on our knees with an open heart to HIS revelation of our own needs before we can meet other’s needs!

Read this passage again and notice all that God did for these faithful, bold yet humble young men!  They said (in Blanche’s paraphrase), test us for ten days, and give us just plain food and water to drink, and then judge with your own eyes how we fair compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food and drink.  Oh, my friends, this isn’t giving us a “Daniel Diet”, but revealing four young men of faith, stepping out in faith, trusting to their God to use their faithfulness to display His power.  And remember they were among a group of young Jewish captives of maybe 50-100 young men, yet we only see these four stand up for God’s ways!  We won’t be in the majority when we follow God.  Jesus makes that clear in Matthew 7.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

 and few there be that find it.”   Matthew 7:13-14

We must dig into God’s Word to be able to recognize the “strait gate”, for there are many today that are painting signs that “say” “strait gate”, but if you look around and compare what they are teaching to God’s Word, you’ll find that you are on the wrong road.  We need to be consciously choosing the way that leads to life, not the road that the “many” are taking that leads to destruction.  If you find that something draws a great crowd of “many”, you may need to investigate what they are purporting!  Don’t be misled by the size of the crowd.  Daniel and his three friends are the only ones that God records for us who were faithful in the midst of overwhelming temptation.  What are you standing on?  God’s Word or sinking sand?  Are you running with the many or the truthful few?  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.  And Daniel and his friends passed their test.  Look how God showed up and showed Himself faithful and able!  Is your God able?  If you want to see “able” read these first six chapters of Daniel.  But for now ponder the results of the faithfulness of these four young men!  WOW!  Our God is able and faithful.  Then at the end of their three-year training program did God ever show Himself faithful—and if you take the time to read these first six chapters I think you will be amazed, humbled as well as finding yourself desiring to draw near to this God!

“And at the end of ten days

their countenances appeared

fairer and fatter in flesh

than all the children

which did eat the portion

of the king’s meat.

16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat,

and the wine that they should drink;

and gave them pulse.

17 As for these four children,

God gave them knowledge and skill

in all learning

and wisdom:

and Daniel had understanding

in all visions and dreams.

18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said

he should bring them in,

then the prince of the eunuchs

brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

19 And the king communed with them;

and among them all

was found none like

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

therefore stood they before the king.

20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding,

that the king enquired of them,

he found them ten times better

than all the magicians and astrologers

that were in all his realm.”   Daniel 1:15-20

Oh, my what a mighty God we serve!  Do you know Him?  If not, you can, by repenting of your sin and trusting in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—yours and mine!  Then the blood of Jesus can and will transform you into His child.  He came to give us life!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

 and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11

Amen and Amen!!!