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The Truth Of The Matter is - Episode: 122 The Paradox Of Difficulty
25 Plays1 year ago
Being a follower of Christ is not easy but rather difficult, and with that comes believing in things you can not necessarily prove but actually calls you to operate in faith. On today's show, we take a look at Matthew 7:13-14 as we discuss the difference between the path that's narrow versus the path that is wide. Tune in to see how you can view Matthew 7:13-14 through a practical application while also appreciating the biblical framework. See how a combination of both schools of thought can bring out clarity in its most purest form. See how God can operate in both ways in the scripture.
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Transcript
Welcome and Gratitude
00:00:00
Speaker
Welcome to the truth of the matter is podcast. I'm your host Daniel alongside Jonathan. We are back for episode 122 First and foremost, we would like to give a round of applause to all of our new and of course consistent listeners
00:00:24
Speaker
We thank you and hope that you continue to press play at your own convenience. So again, the new wrinkle that we have added to begin a podcast, and we also encourage everyone listening to do the same is upon reflection. Think about one or two ways the Lord has blessed you previous week. So Daniel, you do the honor of letting us know what is one way or two ways upon reflection that the Lord has blessed you last week.
Sharing Personal Blessings
00:00:57
Speaker
One way that the Lord has blessed me this week is just reestablishing some connections with people. It was good to be able to talk and have good communication. And I think anytime somebody comes in or out of your life, it could be a blessing. So that's one way. And then the second way has been
00:01:23
Speaker
It might help me, uh, buy pizza for the whole warehouse, uh, Friday at my job. So that was, that was a nice congestor. So I took that as a blessing as well. What about you?
00:01:36
Speaker
So the Lord's blessed me two ways. One way is last week, Sunday, I started off work late because I was caught up watching the Jets game, you know, sort of hoping I will have something to cheer for. And obviously I was sad because it was what do you mean? I mean, what do you say that you lost 30 to 10 last week?
00:01:59
Speaker
So it wasn't something to cheer for. So usually, you know, I would catch the game on the radio, but I wanted to see some of it on TV before I left. Now, obviously, I realized instantly that was a poor decision, but at first it seemed that it wouldn't have been, but it actually was. Now, here's an interesting thing on how it played out to my benefit.
00:02:25
Speaker
Within my first four drops, I did have a generous tipper. I received a $41 tip, which I really appreciated from Jesus who did it. So, you know, what I learned is even though I started late, God still blessed me, right? Now I won't expect this to happen every time, but I appreciate God giving me favor. So even though I left late, I received favor from someone, right?
Recognizing God's Presence
00:02:53
Speaker
This is why I'm under the belief
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Speaker
that he orders our steps ultimately to receive blessings that someone is going to provide in those moments and times. So with that blessing from God, through that customer, I was able to reach my goal and I had a decent night even though I started late. Now, the second way I was blessed by God is that
00:03:18
Speaker
For those that are listening, that are drivers, if you drive in New York, there's something you need to be aware of, and it's called alternate side parking, where the streets need to be cleaned, so you have to move your car to the other side and park it there. Now, example is, let's say today's Monday, right? Well, you would need to find parking on the Tuesday, Friday side, because on Monday, the streets have to be cleaned. So it could be from 9 to 10 dirty. So from that 9 to 10 dirty,
00:03:47
Speaker
you would have to move your car. Another example, time wise, let's say today is Tuesday, then you would need to move your car on the other side, right? Which would be Yeah, you know, sometimes I get sick of moving my car. Well,
00:04:03
Speaker
That's interesting. Don't drive him. I know. But point is, you want to move it to the other side. And that time frame can be from 11 to 12 to, you know, certain neighborhood streets have different time slots, so they're not always the same.
00:04:21
Speaker
And Wednesday is usually the day where the alternate side parking at least in our area is not in effect. So it was Wednesday night into Thursday morning, I was coming home from work. And finding parking in our neighborhood is pretty tough after an hour, you know, I would say anywhere from 6pm to about 3am in the morning. It's going to be tough finding parking in Brooklyn or the Queens area, right?
00:04:48
Speaker
I actually, you know, noticed that the area that we are in is actually quite congested, which is why insurance in this area is up right because you have more cars occupying an area that is most likely why
00:05:04
Speaker
The insurance is up because the likelihood of an accident can happen in this area. It's pretty much risky. So just educate people out there, right? And at first I didn't know this, right? I didn't know this was why insurance is up in certain areas and cheaper in other areas like Jersey, upstate New York.
00:05:21
Speaker
insurance is much cheaper, but if you are within the five boroughs of New York, the insurance is gonna be up. Anyway, I digress. So, getting to the point, right? After a certain hour in my area, anytime I find a parking spot, I feel blessed about it. It just so happened to be that this time around,
00:05:45
Speaker
I felt blessed. But then again, I understood what the issue was. And the issue was, was that the parking spot that I found was at eight o'clock on a Thursday. And I had just come in around 2.30. So I knew that I would have to get up before eight o'clock to move it. And it so happened to be that I woke up at 8.35. So instantly most cases,
00:06:15
Speaker
I believe I would have received a ticket, right? And the whole point of mention is this is because I rushed out of the house, kind of spedwalk myself, and I was able to get to the car and I received grace and mercy because I didn't get the ticket. So appreciate the time.
00:06:43
Speaker
of not getting the ticket this time around.
00:06:47
Speaker
You know, I haven't been ticket for a while. So that's the second way that God's blessed me. I should have gotten a ticket. Normally you do an understanding of grace periods. They call it a grace period where if you're supposed to move by eight, maybe about eight, 10, sometimes, depending of the traffic officers are out there, they will make you, it would give you the ticket. But unfortunately that wasn't the case. And that's the second way I was blessed.
00:07:14
Speaker
So yeah, again those are two ways I was blessed by God last week. So again, myself and Daya encourage you to reflect over the week and you'll be surprised by how the presence of God
00:07:27
Speaker
is always with you daily. The only way for you to know that is just is that you need to reflect and pay close attention to the details of our lives. That's something Jen will say to say bless the details of our lives those those little any bitty parts in our day that we don't necessarily pay attention to and sometimes we take for granted. And if you reflect, think about it, you'll notice
00:07:54
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how easily God is blessing you. If you're looking as he looks out for you. So any comments day before we press forward? No, I think you said enough. All right. Now, with that being said, here on the Truth of the Matters podcast, we believe praying is first and foremost before we talk about the word. So we're going to pray.
00:08:19
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Father God, in Jesus name, we thank you for righteousness, joy, and peace and Holy Spirit. As we look at your word today, I ask that we grow from it. I ask that it blesses us to reconsider our actions, attitudes, motives, and thoughts.
00:08:39
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I pray that we look to apply what you have said with intent and that we receive it into our spirits. Lord, we thank you for the week that we are able to reflect, come together and have an opportunity to discuss your word. Not only is it foundational, but it's something
00:08:58
Speaker
that strengthens our faith. Myself and Daniel pray for the listeners. We pray for, we pray Lord God for our friends, family, keep them safe for many hurt, harm, and danger. We pray for the families and listeners as well. We also pray and be thankful for our enemies because they play important roles to either improve us
00:09:20
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of us, for us to see what God is doing, for us to also share God to them as well. Lord, we say these things in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen.
Challenges of Christian Teachings
00:09:36
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So today, we're not going to be with you long, but we're going to take a look at Matthew chapter seven, verse 13 through 14. And we're going to be looking at this in the English standard version.
00:09:52
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Enter by the narrow gate, where the gate is wide and the way is easier leads to destruction. And those who enter by it are many, where the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life. And those who find it are few. So the title of this podcast is called A Paradox of Difficulty. Now for those who don't know what a paradox is, Daniel can you remind people?
00:10:18
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A paradox is a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that, when investigated or explained, may prove to be well-founded or true. So a more condensed version is a statement that seems to go against common sense but still can be true. Again, a more condensed version is a statement that seems to go against common sense
00:10:44
Speaker
but still may be true. Now the reason why I call this podcast episode 122, the paradox of difficulty is because being a Christian and or follower of Christ is not easy. It's difficult, right? And what that comes believing in things you can't necessarily prove, right? It's a faith thing is based upon several
00:11:08
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aspects of the Christian faith, right? One of those examples of belief is the Trinity, the resurrection. And those in a lot of cases can be seen as paradoxes. Now let me repeat that again.
00:11:21
Speaker
Why I quote this podcast episode 122, the paradox of difficulty is because being a Christian and a follower of Christ, it's not easy, it's difficult. And with that comes believing in things you can't necessarily prove, right? It's a faith-based belief. And some of those components that come along with that faith-based belief is the Trinity, the resurrection, the resurrection. And those are, in a lot of cases can be understood and seen as paradoxes.
00:11:50
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So being a follower of Christ is an act of faith. Being a follower of Christ is an act of faith. Yes, there's a biblical definition of
The Role of Faith and Scripture
00:11:59
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faith. So let's go to that quickly. Let's go to Hebrews chapter 11 verses one through three. I'm going to read this in the King James version.
00:12:06
Speaker
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, for by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. So a practical way of defining faith is that it's a reason trust, it's an enduring process, and it's an inherent knowledge. Again, a practical way of defining faith
00:12:36
Speaker
is a reasoned trust, is an enduring process, and is inherent for knowledge. Okay, so faith, again, is a reasoned trust, an enduring process, and an inherent for knowledge. Now, how does one build their faith? Well, you need to expose yourself to the Word of God. If you don't, then the problem is, you're going to expose yourself to different ideologies that will steer you
00:13:06
Speaker
in many different directions. That's the risk that you're taking. Right. I'll say it again. I'm going to have to I'm going to have to disagree a little bit. OK, go ahead, explain why. When or let's say not disagree, but when you say expose yourself, what do you mean by that? In other words. We were born.
00:13:32
Speaker
In the book of Isaiah it says, we were born, we were creatures born to worship God. And if it's not steered in faith, then that worship shifts to yourself. It shifts to other things that you see. Money, as an example, can also be a God. It shifts to some aspect.
00:13:51
Speaker
that is away from God and it either isn't a selfish motive or something else that's not rooted in truth. And the people gravitate to it because it makes them feel good. It's something that they find themselves striving in and ultimately is leading you down a path for destruction. That's what happens ultimately when you don't belong to the family of God, right? In the book of Romans, it says,
00:14:16
Speaker
Whoever believes in his heart and confesses out of his mouth that Jesus is Lord, he is saved. So when we talk about baptism, what a baptism, that's a public declaration of your loyalty and your declaration of announcing that Christ is Lord over your life.
00:14:37
Speaker
So all the spiritual entities within the complex of society is aware of who your loyalty to is and who your commitment to is. If it's not that, then you are free game. And what I mean by that is that you're open
00:14:58
Speaker
To potentially be swayed and a lot of other different belief systems and directions based upon their philosophies and their ideas of what God is So that's what the exposure allows you to have openness to You follow me
00:15:27
Speaker
I have a moment to think. OK. So this is this is my thoughts on it, right? OK. And I'm going to say this in a very practical way. I think the main thing with faith is a lot of people don't have commitment.
00:15:47
Speaker
And in order to increase your faith, the main thing is not only do you need commitment, but you need intention and your actions need to be placed in the same unit. So whatever you intend to do in this case is following the Word of God, following the principles, the laws, the rules, the regulations.
00:16:08
Speaker
And your intention is to make sure that your behavior, your words, and every step you take is in line with those things. And the action has to be behind it. So through experience, once you start following the rules, the laws and the regulations of the word, that is how you start to gain confidence. Because then you understand how it starts to work for you.
00:16:38
Speaker
but only when your actions and your intentions are one will the words seem authentic towards you okay now when you philosophize about it not when you think very hard on it but you have to have the action to follow through as well well
00:17:07
Speaker
The thing is, you need to expose yourself to the Word of God. If you don't, then you're exposed to different ideologies that will steer you in many different directions. With the amount
Choosing the Narrow Path
00:17:17
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of falsity we are facing on a regular basis, it's actually very difficult to have convictions and a lot of things. There's a lot of different falsities that we're facing. So it's hard in most cases,
00:17:33
Speaker
authentically, legitimately for people to feel that their conviction and what truth is, is something that they can get with. So as we take a look at Matthew chapter seven verse 13 to 14, there's a practical application and a biblical application. So I'm going to sort of combine both schools of thought to bring out clarity in the most purest form. So let's begin by addressing verse 13. So we know that
00:18:01
Speaker
gaining pastors having access to God's kingdom. And that can only happen if we walk down the path that leads down to the narrow gate. When you think about the concept of something being narrow,
00:18:16
Speaker
It's okay to come to the conclusion that one person can enter, no more than one person can enter at that time. If you visualize with an image, two or three people trying to enter something that is only meant for one person is very difficult, right? The description leaves us with a narrow observation.
00:18:36
Speaker
Right? Other translations call that path small. So we need to understand the image of one person, not more than one walking down a path. Right? Jesus says this in the Gospel of John chapter 14 verse 6. And we're going to look specifically at the amplified version for a reason. Jesus said, I am the only way to God in the real truth, in the real life. No one comes to the Father but through me.
00:19:03
Speaker
So the reason why I love how the amplified version puts it is because the only way is a narrow reality. It's also a bold statement, which is a unique perspective. Why do I say that? Well, it's a concept of being distinctly different. It's the separation from everyone else. It's allowed in dominant stance. It's a powerful declaration of truth in today's time.
00:19:28
Speaker
throughout history, we've learned that this is hard for me to accept. So when the beginning of verse 13 in Matthew seven says, enter through the narrow gate, Jesus is declaring that he is at that narrow gate.
00:19:44
Speaker
again entry to him you must only believe in him and no one else if you look at the rest of verse 13 it comes it actually takes place where it comes to talk about something called the wire gate not the narrow and guess what the route is easy and what many people follow it
00:20:05
Speaker
Where does it lead? The scripture said it leads to destruction. And those who enter by it are what? Many. Looking back at the portion of John chapter 14 verse six, which Daniel just read, Jesus says, I am the only way to God and the only real truth. Historically, what have other beliefs taught, right? They have taught a universal concept, which is a high-held belief in society, and that is,
00:20:36
Speaker
or paths lead to heaven. You see how amazing and attractive that can sound, right? To the average person who wants to have hope and satisfaction, not offend someone and still get along, right? The only issue is there are no consequences. In fact, the suggestion is to do what's convenient, what feels good, what's comfortable. If there's one thing about God, Yahweh,
00:21:01
Speaker
The one true God in the word of God, He's going to hold you accountable. Let's look at a verse that would mention and justify that. Let's go to Hebrews chapter 12 verse six. We're going to look at this and take a look at it in the NLT. For the Lord disciplines those He loves and He punishes each one He accepts as His child.
00:21:24
Speaker
Yes, a part of God's love is his discipline. He will hold us accountable based upon his word and his expectation for us. And when we do wrong, he will address it accordingly. If we're going to be operating from a universalistic perspective, a universalistic perspective, then we cannot ignore.
00:21:50
Speaker
that when it comes to that, there are different beliefs, right? There is no such thing.
00:21:57
Speaker
as a unity belief, right? And love, and all beliefs and therefore, there's going to be a clash of ideas. So I'm gonna say that again, right? If we're going to view a universalistic belief, then to really believe that unity exists in that sort of concept will be very difficult, right?
00:22:22
Speaker
the idea that all beliefs have value in as a one is bound that they will clash right now their coat might say hey you can choose well you can choose and pull what you like however I personally
00:22:40
Speaker
don't see how that can be viewed as truly being authentic, if everything's okay. But this is the occult concept, right? It doesn't matter if you believe in Buddha, it doesn't matter if you believe in Allah, it doesn't matter if you have idols, it doesn't matter if you see the river, the animals, yourself, right? They believe that you're going to heaven and that's the reality from their point of view. But from a biblical perspective,
00:23:09
Speaker
We believe that and we've come to see that that's not true. Right? But everyone's entitled to what they believe. And that's us being fair and understanding, right? Everyone's truth and the concept of reliability, however, can't be trusted. Everybody's truth and the concept of reliability can all be right.
00:23:35
Speaker
There's a reason why the wide gate is a highway to hell, scripture says in the NLT. And it's broad because the devil wants to expand your mind and your thoughts into thinking and believing that one way can't be the only way. So he wants you to think there's more than one way.
00:23:53
Speaker
that one way isn't fair and that it must be more than other options than the options that's been provided to you. Now, unfortunately, from the biblical perspective, again, from the biblical perspective, again, this is incorrect.
00:24:10
Speaker
However, many will hear this and still believe in the variety is the spice of life, right when it comes to a lot of other things, but not just salvation, right? The variety is the spice of life as it pertains to food, drinks, movies, sports, video games, clothes, and so many other things.
00:24:28
Speaker
But safe to say I'm not sure if we can see that in terms of our salvation folks. So I can promise you this, right? The path that is wide will lead you to eternal judgment. What a path that is narrow will lead you to eternal life.
00:24:46
Speaker
Again, the path that is wide will lead you to eternal judgment while the path that is narrow will lead you to eternal life. Two different destinations, two different outcomes, according to God's word, just to be clear and direct that He on the truth of the matter is podcasts.
00:25:04
Speaker
This is what God's decree is. This is not our opinions. Neither one of us formed these ideas. We're only taken out of what the scripture has to say. But before we move on to verse 14, let me give you some practical application and reference to how this can be applied to life.
00:25:26
Speaker
So when it comes to accomplishing things in life, and then you can jump into this if you disagree or you find some value or you want to expand upon it, when it comes to accomplishing things in life, there are long ways and shortcuts. You cannot live life properly thinking that shortcuts are the way to go on every base. The reality is going to be long ways of doing things, and those long ways can be hard ways. Those hard ways can be beneficial on a lot of different levels.
00:25:57
Speaker
Even in my own test prep, right, there are shortcuts to consider, however, there are long ways. And I should know them both. I should understand them both. The shortcuts help on occasion, but we still must understand the entire process because the shortcuts may work. And because they are reliable, however, having a clear understanding of the long way is something that we have to be mindful of.
00:26:25
Speaker
It can be relied upon in shortcuts, but having a clear understanding and an indication is something we need to make sure we have understanding and we have process of, right? Anything you want to add? One thing I noticed too, especially when you become accustomed to doing things the right way.
00:26:48
Speaker
When you try to take that shortcut, it just doesn't feel good. And you know, when you're cheating yourself, it's like anybody lifts weights. You know, when you got an extra rep or two on you, you just know. And you know, when you put the rate down or you finish the set, you know, for a fact, you probably could have squeezed two or three more out. That's what the shortcut feels like. And not only is it not rewarding,
00:27:15
Speaker
It's there's nothing you get nothing out of it. So it's just better to do things the right way. Even pills, right? Some people pop a pill. Some people do some things. It's just like, what are we doing here?
00:27:30
Speaker
Right. In regards to trying to get, you know, there's things that are promoted, right. They call it. There's something that I'm thinking of fast. I think it's six pack shortcuts. Yeah, the six pack shortcuts. You know, the 20 minute workouts.
00:27:52
Speaker
So we hear quite a few different things that are presented to us. Or, you know, you can lose weight in a certain area and not realizing the concept is you have to lose weight all over to get to that specific area. But yeah, then, you know, I even see that work sometimes too, is
00:28:14
Speaker
You know, people who wants to just kind of have to do the order or, you know, I'll just send it out and then you always get the email later. That's something needed to come back or there was an issue or you just want to sign off or something and not really check it. It comes back. It always comes back to you. So it's just don't do it. Just don't do it. Just do it right the first time.
00:28:35
Speaker
And, you know, honestly, it just prevents a lot of trouble. Yeah, it takes a little bit more time, but I always say, actually, so how do you want to feel 20 minutes from now? You know, when the task is done or imagine how you will feel once it's already finished and you know you did it the right way.
00:28:51
Speaker
Yeah. It's interesting, right? So back to a biblical perspective.
Commitment to Christian Life
00:28:57
Speaker
When it comes to God, right? There are no shortcuts. Having faith in Jesus Christ is the only way. Jesus is the only one who addresses the issues of sin. Hence the Gospel of John chapter 1 verse 29 through 30. We'll look at this in the New King James Version. The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, Behold!
00:29:18
Speaker
the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. This is he of whom I said, after me comes a man who was preferred before me, for he was before me." Jesus is the only one who addresses the heart condition of the human being, right? Jesus is the only one who gave us his righteousness, hence 2 Corinthians 5, verse 17-21.
00:29:45
Speaker
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself.
00:30:07
Speaker
not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, we reconcile to God. For our sake, he made him to be sin, who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
00:30:36
Speaker
a beautiful job so finishing up by looking at verse verse 14 from Matthew seven and simply put thank you repeat verse 14 for the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life and those who find it are few all right very good so i could
00:30:59
Speaker
you know finish up by providing more scriptures but i think it's kind of important that we kind of talk this out a little bit and i think that a lot of times this doesn't get spoken enough about and i think myself and dang us as follows with price is important that we we express this right living out the christian difference is hard
00:31:21
Speaker
I know many people just don't understand and they think that Jesus when he repents, when we repent and he forgives our sins
00:31:33
Speaker
that everything's good. Unfortunately, the conviction that we have that leads us to repent remains and reminds us to constantly do better, to be better, to turn away from certain practices that aren't good for us.
00:31:53
Speaker
I want to make sure I express that because when you look at what Jesus did and we just talk about it, it seems very convenient. That's because it is. It's convenient because Ephesians two eight nine says we are saved by grace, do faith, not by works.
00:32:15
Speaker
so that we may boast. Why? Because Christ saving us takes any sort of boasting that we can do under our own power out of it and it allows us to place our reliability and trust
00:32:33
Speaker
in Christ, right? And I talk about the scripture in Hebrews chapter four verse 15, which says he's able to empathize, sympathize with us because actually I use sympathy, not sympathetic, but empathetic because he understands what it is to have
00:32:52
Speaker
your flesh constantly eat at you to lead you and guide you to do things that you know you don't want to do. We spoke about this at length in the book of Romans chapter 7 about the things you don't want to do or the things you keep on doing. The things you do want to do or the things you don't do.
00:33:12
Speaker
That's the battle, right? The battle is the battle as you're trying to do what's right, but you have this desire to do good, but evil is present. That's what's going on, right? The Holy Spirit is here to remind us that not only will we not perfect,
00:33:32
Speaker
but that Christ has the ability to help us come to the reality that we're all gonna fall short. But that doesn't mean by falling short that we can't try and be better. Now, the understanding of the conviction is that the conviction does not leave a satisfying feeling behind. But in fact, we feel it.
00:34:03
Speaker
It's not pleasant. So living out things, God's way is vigorous and requires our total attention. The word of God requires commitment, which is what Daniel was talking about earlier. Sacrifice and long suffering in a lot of cases.
00:34:22
Speaker
You have to deny your flesh on more than one occasion. And there's going to be times where you don't deny your flesh and you fall short. Write the song, Donna McCurklin that says, get back up again, stand, right? Because that's the battle.
00:34:38
Speaker
On a regular basis, this happens each and every day on so many levels. The sins that we commit and our thoughts, the sins that we commit action-wise, the fornication, the way we look at women lustfully, we commit sin in our hearts. If anyone tells you they don't sin anymore, they're just not telling the truth. We're constantly having a battle with things that are not of God, that we are subject to, that we have to deal with. All right?
00:35:09
Speaker
The reason why only a few ever find a narrow gate is because living out what you believe is difficult, especially when it comes to the context of, you know, walking the Christian difference. It takes practice. It takes having a mentality of never giving up.
00:35:32
Speaker
You know that you will fall and that you will have to get back up again numerous times. If anyone tells you different, that's just not true. Living God's way is a process, not an effect.
Perseverance in Faith
00:35:49
Speaker
But the point is, don't let the difficulties bring you down. Understand who God is in the character that he has and the love that he has for you. He's full of grace. He's full of mercy. He's full of truth. And he knows it can empathize with your challenge on a regular basis. Amen.
00:36:11
Speaker
Have faith. Keep running your race at your pace. Comparison is the thief of the thief of joy. Don't compare yourself to others. Understand that you have to work on yourself. And by understanding that you have to work on yourself, don't be necessarily hard on yourself to the degree because you know that it's not you but a sin living in you. But you have to master it. You have to war against it.
00:36:42
Speaker
And finally, progressiveness is something that you have to be up for. Progressively, things will get better. And on that note, unless Daniel has anything to add, we'll finish up with devotional time. Now I like this devotion specifically because of the title. It's called how to capture God's attention.
00:37:14
Speaker
Sounds like an interesting topic to me, if I do say so myself. In the book of Psalms, chapter 33, verse 18 and 19 in the NIV says this, but the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love to deliver them from death and keep them alive and family.
00:37:43
Speaker
So here's the thing about God's attention and provision. It doesn't hinder how well you pray. It's all too easy to think of God as a slot machine that demands certain practices in order to meet your needs. Christians often run the risk of domesticating God, demanding that he meet their needs and serve their purposes. But those who expect provision set God apart as holy and powerful worthy of reverence and respect,
00:38:18
Speaker
You don't pray for God's presence in order to manipulate him for your own purposes. Rather you yield to his majestic power. The psalmist then reminds you that God's love is unfailing. You don't fear a monstrous, angry deity. You serve a holy.
00:38:38
Speaker
all-powerful God who loves you deeply and won't fail you even if you have been unfaithful. As you rest in God's care for you, you'll find a constant, unmoving love that is deeply committed to you.
00:38:55
Speaker
So say this, God, thank you, as we pray to you today that though you are all powerful and infinitely holy, that you think of me, help me to know that you are God and that you love me and that you care for me. And everybody in agreement say, Amen. Amen.