Keep Pressing Upward
The Narrow Path is Life!
People from around the world are coming together today to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. In Esther’s Warriors we commit to pray daily for peace in Israel. Today hold Jerusalem in your prayers and heart as untold prayers come together for peace. In this season committed focused prayer is critical.
Going Up or Down?
Do you ever feel you are pressing to go up a steep narrowing staircase while seemingly throngs of others are on their way down to the wider, easier to navigate steps? Does the climb seem unrelenting with barely a chance to catch your breath as you feel pressed on every side? At times do you ever feel you are the only one with insurmountable challenges? I believe there are seasons in each life that some if not all of these feelings surface. For some it can be a lifetime while for others it is for a season.
If You Listen to the World, You Will Choose the Wide Path
When looking at this staircase I could not help but think of the words Jesus spoke concerning the narrow and wide gates. He speaks of two ways of life. One is through a wide gate with an expansive path that can lead to ruin. This is the way of the world. If you choose to walk this way you choose what is easy and acceptable in the world. This can include but not be limited to addictive behaviors surrounding alcohol and drugs; sexual behaviors to include pornography and sex outside of marriage; gossip and so on. What the world says is ok falls on the wide road.
Many carnal or fleshly Christians live lives that so mirror the world. It is clear that walking this wide road becomes easier and easier as time passes. More and more allowances are made as the road becomes wider. The lines blur between what is intrinsically right and wrong. Over time you can no longer hear the Holy Spirit’s convicting voice and you walk toward spiritual descent.
Life Blossoms on the Narrow Path
The other way of life begins at a narrow gate. The path here is narrow. On this path your steps are ordered by the Lord. You can hear His voice. You choose to stay in close relationship with Him and to follow His ways. What we do not like to think about is that Jesus says this way is not easy. It is difficult.
Fewer and fewer people will walk this narrow path with you if you choose this way. Living for Jesus is not the most popular choice even in some Christian circles. Where God’s way is compromised His followers are criticized or condemned. In some places it can bring death. Jesus also tells us that few find this path.
Which Path Do You Choose?
We are in a very serious time in history and I believe we are each called ‘for such a time as this.’ How you live each day is critical not only to your eternal position but to the eternity of all around you. How you live your life can lead another down the wide path to destruction or the narrow path that leads to life. Which path are you walking on now? Which path do you choose from this day forward? Search your heart closely this week for the road signs on your path. Do they lead to destruction or life?
Choose wisely. Choose to be one of the few Jesus talks about!
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Jesus, John 10:27
“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.” Jesus, Matthew 7:13-14
“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Jesus, Revelation 3:20
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
A Prayer Request
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country, our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our front-line on the battlefield, let us be their front-line in the spirit. Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives.
God bless all our diplomatic and military personnel and their families. May the Lord keep them safe. Pray for all throughout the world for hedges of protection against radical Muslim extremists and all forms of terrorism. We have long prayed for spiritual victory over radical Islam in Esther’s Warriors Ministry. We now see the reality of this threat come to the forefront in this time in world history.
Please pray for all in authority over us, for the full truth to come forth concerning Benghazi and for safety in Israel. May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we may arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history.
We continue to pray for truth to prevail as we saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America and for all of us who call ourselves American. These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk. Fail not in this hour.
Please Join Me In Prayer
Father we thank You that You are ever with us to lead us in the way of life. May we hear Your voice and follow Your way on the narrow path. If we walk alone with You it is better than walking with thousands to destruction. Thank you for Your never ending flow of grace and mercy to put us back on the narrow path should we stray. Grant us Your wisdom and discernment and let us ever hear Your Spirit’s convicting voice guiding us in the right direction. Use us to lead others to the narrow path of life and bring Your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and amen.