A Straight And Narrow Road

Mathew 7:13

Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way (road) that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.

But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) (small) compressed that leads away to life, and “ONLY” few are those who find it.

I’m writing this letter to be sure that you are on the right road.

If something terrible happened and you were to die, do you know for certain that you would go to Heaven? Did you know that in the United States that 2,400,000 people die every year? Many people purchase life insurance so that their family will be taken care of if they were to die suddenly, yet few people take the time to find out where they are going to “spend eternity” when they die. Don’t wait until it’s too late to make sure you are ready.

The Bible gives us God’s plan for going to Heaven:

Jesus came to earth as a man and lived 33 years then he died on the cross for you taking ALL your sins (that separate you from God) upon himself.

He took your guilt so you don’t have to be guilty anymore!

John 3:15-18

Jesus came in order that everyone who believes in Him who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him may not perish, but have eternal life and actually live forever!

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He even gave up His only begotten unique Son, so that whoever believes in trusts in, clings to, relies on Him shall not perish come to destruction, be lost but have eternal everlasting life.

For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.

He who believes in Him who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him is not judged he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation--he incurs no damnation; but he who does not believe cleave to, rely on, trust in Him is judged already he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God (JESUS). He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ's name.

The Bible teaches that God will punish sinners with death. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord". This death is an eternal painful suffering with no relief. God has reserved a place for sinners that is separate from Heaven. That place is called Hell. Few people want to hear about Hell.

Psalm 25:4-5

This means that if you die without trusting in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you will die in your sins and be forever separated from the love of God in a place called Hell. The Holy Bible describes Hell as a place of eternal torment, suffering, pain and agony for all those who have rejected Jesus Christ. The good news is that you can avoid Hell by allowing Jesus Christ to save you today. Only then will you have true peace in your life knowing that no matter what happens you are on your way to Heaven.

John 14:1-6

DO NOT let your hearts be troubled distressed, agitated. You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.

In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you.

And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.

And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way.

Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?

Jesus said “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by through Me.”

Psalm 25:4-5

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.”

So today REPENT and ask JESUS CHRIST to come into your heart & save you and you will have “eternal life” in “Heaven”.

For this is the straight & narrow road, now walk therein.

If you complain you remain

Diana Houk
© April 19, 2009

Complain means to remain or to stay overnight.

Complaining opens the door to the evil one to come in. If you complain you are suppressing anger & you will live an angry lifestyle. If you walk in love you will live a love lifestyle.

Hard times put a demand on God’s word, power, & presents to manifest in your life. How should we talk during trials? Speak the word of God & what his word (only truth) says’ about our life.

God’s word isn’t moved or changed by what YOU’RE going through. It works no matter what you’re going through. Apply the word to your situation. You have the title deed to the power of God.

Mark 11: 23 & 24

Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe trust and be confident that it is granted to you, and you will get it.

You find out what you are made of in hard times.

The roar of the lion can be so loud you can’t hear the voice of truth. And when you don’t hear the voice of truth this is when complaining becomes easy.

When trials come you learn more about yourself by listening to the words you speak out of your mouth.

For what you believe in your heart you will say with your mouth. The attitude of the heart & the confession of the mouth is where your faith is. Faith is where you want to be, lay a firm foundation of hope then build your faith. For some this is “Progressive Faith”

Trials of life are test & if you don’t pass the test you will get to take it again. We don’t really know who we trust in (believe) until we are tested.

You can be a diamond in the rough (coal), but it’s not until you are under pressure that will turn you into a diamond.

The wilderness is where you grow; it is where you are all alone with God.

This is where Jesus had to develop just like we do. The words Jesus prayed (spoke out) in the desert is where he received the “grace & anointing” to carry out the will of God. We all need to be just like Jesus, mold me Lord into your image.

Your words will frame your life. So think on these things whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy-keep thinking about these things.

Guard your mouth with complaining & God’s word (truth) will set you free!

God Does Not Change, We Do

God (Jesus Christ) does NOT change! The “Word” of God is the true Word!
"NEW DATA" other than the Word of God is a false doctrine.

People do change; they choose to believe other (new data) beliefs to fit their own lifestyle. People make changes (believing new data) to replace any convictions they would have, this is wrong thinking.

We need to execute the “Word of God” in our lives, the true Word that will always be. Some “new data” come & go, but Gods Word will live forever.

Execution of the Word of God will bring forth positive results.

I believe there is an area of complacency with most believers today. This is an area of comfort, of living out the life that fits your convictions & it becomes a comfort zone.

Most people would believe in something that has little, or NO substance to it. This thinking is a belief that will place you in the arena of no consequences, (but there will be consequences) and will allow you to live out your life freely & without any regard to the truth. The bible says,

“And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free”.

God has not evolved, grown or improved: All that He is today, He has ever been, and ever will be. "I am the Lord, I change not"

The Bible describes God as unchangeable, eternal, immutable always existing. Whatever he reveals of himself as is eternal. All his attributes are eternal, as they flow from his infinite nature whose essence is also eternal, unchangeable.

When someone changes his/her mind, it is often because new information has come to light that was not previously known, or the circumstances have changed that require a different kind of attitude or action. Because God is omniscient, He cannot learn something new that He did not already know. So, when the Bible speaks of God changing His mind, it must be understood that the circumstance or situation has changed, not God. So when Exodus 32:14 and 1 Samuel 15:11-29 talk about God changing His mind, it is simply describing a change of dispensation, and outward dealings, toward man.Numbers 23:19 is very clear, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” No, God does not change His mind. These verses affirm the doctrine of God’s immutability: He is unchanging and unchangeable.

We all will embrace a belief in our life & most will pick & choose whatever is comfortable to them and as influences can distort the truth of who God is.

So the “NEW DATA” that some will embrace will cause some to turn from the true & only real God.

The Word says; you will know the truth & the truth will set you free!

New data will come & go but God & his Word will never change.

Here is “data” (the truth) that was from the beginning & will be throughout eternity.

If thou seek him, he will be found of thee.1 Chronicles 28:9

Your heart shall live that seek God.Psalm 69:32

Seek ye me, and ye shall live.Amos 5:4

The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him.Ezra 8:22

Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking reverently and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, the door will be opened.
Mathew 7 & 8

God bless you & show himself to you as you start on this journey of knowing Him (God) the true “DATA”.

Judge, Criticize and Condemn

Matthew 7:1
DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves.

1Cor. 6:2-3 Do you not know that the saints [the saved; Christians] will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

Prov. 3:21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;

John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Jer. 22:3 Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness...

Phil. 1:10 So that you may be able to discern [judge] what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ...

Phil. 1:7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you [judge you]...

Matt 7:1 seems to support the allusion that we are not to judge at all if we use small-vision tactics by focusing on only that small piece of the total of what Jesus was saying.

Look at John 7:24. There, Jesus tells us to judge, but to do so righteously. Righteously means to use the Truth of the Word to discern sins and not by appearances only.

1Cor. 6:2-3 Do you not know that the saints (the believers) will [one day] judge and govern the world? And if the world [itself] is to be judged and ruled by you, are you unworthy and incompetent to try [such petty matters] of the smallest courts of justice?

Do you not know also that we [Christians] are to judge the [very] angels and pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them]? How much more then [as to] matters pertaining to this world and of this life only!


As a Christian so many times I here others judging instead of Loving them---Most push one down further when they already feel they are at the bottom looking up, They push them down and have the attitude of you knew better, or you brought this one on yourself, or you just need to make better decisions. Or this time maybe you will learn your lesson!

We have all been there at sometime in our life. I feel there is a fine line between judging as “God” said we would, and just judging them to make our own self look better. Instead I believe the greatest act we could do is to “LOVE” them! This is the walk we should all practice for this is the greatest walk of all! As one church I have attended before says; Love the Hell out of them!

I know if it had not been for the Lord on my side I would be saying; where would I be without the Lord? He has kept me, he has protected me, he has always been there for me, he has been my rock, my provider, my comforter, my healer, my…… the list goes on!

So if we want the “Blessing” the “Benefits” from God we must choose to follow the ways of God, living a lifestyle pleasing unto him & this will bring “Glory” to him & the “Christ” lifestyle to us.

Take a Few Minutes of Your Time

You can take a few minutes of your time & this could help to change your life! I have taken the time to put this all together for you so it can help you & I pray it does!

I will be the first to say I don’t know it all but I DO KNOW THE ONE THAT DOES KNOW IT ALL & YOU CAN MAKE IT! IN JESUS NAME!

“Think Spiritual Thoughts/Renew Your Mind… A Spiritual Exercise for a Healthier Life”

The key to a healthy thought life is to minimize the negative/unhealthy thinking that we have and the corresponding negative emotions and have more positive thinking which will lead to having more positive emotions. Take another look at the scriptures above to be reminded of the Biblical approach and benefit of this spiritual exercise.

Christians can ask God to help them through the power His Holy Spirit provides. He can help you change your thought life. Know that your true identity is in Jesus Christ, not in what others may have told you or what the Devil may be trying to tell you through his lies. A person who does not have a relationship with Jesus can practice the same behavior mentioned below, but according to scripture (John 14:17) he does not have the benefit of help from God’s Spirit.

Do you dwell on past hurts and pains? Is the deep resentment you keep towards another person eating at you deep in your heart? Do memories of past negative events float up into your mind frequently? Make a conscious choice to forgive that person and/or let go of that past hurt and give it to God and ask Him to take it, along with the associated emotional pain. Replace these negative thoughts with thoughts that are spiritual, pure and positive.

"Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head.”

Be deliberate in your decision to monitor your thinking. Monitor what you put into your mind. What kind of music do you listen to? Are the TV shows you watch healthy for you? What do you read? Are the internet sites you frequent consistent with your desire to have spiritually healthy thoughts? When we fill our minds with messages that are ‘unhealthy,’ by what we read and listen to, it influences what we will think about. The more you read the Bible and understand and believe the truths you find there, the easier it will be to renew your mind and to think on spiritual and ‘healthy’ thoughts. According to knowing God and His truths better is the first key in living an abundant & healthy life.

"I find that unsuccessful attempts at changing thought patterns result from an unwillingness to change them. We enjoy our misery or woundedness or lustfulness or pride more than we desire Godliness. Unless our motivation is to please God, our attempts at thought control will have limited success. “The Holy Spirit empowers our change process when we are truly repentant and wanting His control.”

As you renew your mind by thinking more about God and His nature and truth and less about untruths and negative thoughts it will likely improve your day-to-day attitude and corresponding emotions as well as your disposition on life. This then may well impact in a positive way on your emotional and physical health.

I’m not sure most of us really recognize the importance of our thought life and the impact that it has on our emotions and our bodies. One of the most important spiritual exercises that we can put into practice for improved health is to monitor our thought life and to adjust our thinking so that it is ‘healthy’ or spiritual. By doing this and by incorporating the practice of renewing our minds, many people could enjoy improved emotional and physical.

Here is a very brief summary of how our thoughts affect our bodies. For every event in our life, we quickly apply the filters of our beliefs and attitudes, which are based on our life experiences, and then we have automatic thoughts. Our thoughts lead us quickly to emotions and from that our body reacts. Our brain secretes chemicals called neuropeptides and other glands of our body release hormones. Positive emotions cause our body to release helpful chemicals. Negative emotions cause the release of harmful chemicals.

“Understand the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection That Can Heal or Destroy You”

"When people who have discovered that once they made a sincere effort to tackle their dysfunctional thought patterns, they had fewer bouts of depression, anxiety, anger, grief, shame, jealousy, and all other toxic emotions. It isn't difficult to replace lies with God's truth. It just takes intentional and consistent effort... It takes the time and energy to find statements of God's truth and apply them to life's lies. Jesus promised, "If you abide in my Word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32). We are reminded of the importance of dwelling on positive thoughts.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8)

In the book of Romans, Paul urges us to change the way we think because it can transform us. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2)

Finally, the writer of Proverbs 14:30 says,

“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.” The effect of thinking thoughts that are positive can lead to a heart at peace, which is good for the body.