Accessible to All

[Walter and Deborah]

Wednesday 8-11-21 Elul 2, 5781 4th. day of the weekly cycle, 52nd. Summer Day

 

Our Daily Bread 11th August 2021 Devotional Today – Accessible to All

 

Our Daily Bread 11th August 2021 Devotional Today, Wednesday Message By (Our Daily Bread Ministries) By:  Xochitl Dixon

 

Click To Read Previous ODB Ministries Devotional Message

 

Topic: Accessible to All

 

Today’s Scripture: Matthew 7:13–14

 

Key Verse:  Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. – Matthew 7:14

 

Bible in a Year: Psalms 81–83; Romans 11:19–36

 

INSIGHT: Today’s passage (Matthew 7:13–14) begins the last section of the Sermon on the Mount. Over the centuries, these words of Jesus have become foundational, but when we slow down and absorb the imagery Jesus paints, we begin to feel their true weight. The words Jesus uses to describe the gates and roads (wide and broad/small and narrow) bring with them comfort and challenge. The first pair gives the hearer a sense of comfort and ease. There’s no challenge to crossing through a broad gate, and a wide path leaves plenty of room for exploration and wandering. Those who walk the wide path don’t need to focus or be deliberate. The small gate and narrow path, on the other hand, express intentionality. Choosing this door and path requires a choice and a focus on one’s actions.

 

Our Daily Bread 11th August 2021 Devotional Today Message

From a manmade bridge on the small Caribbean island of Eleuthera, visitors can admire the stark contrast between the roiling dark blue waters of the Atlantic and the calm turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Over time, storms washed away the original strip of land once marked by a natural stone arch. The glass window bridge that now serves as a tourist attraction on Eleuthera is known as “the narrowest place on earth.”

 

The Bible describes the road that leads to eternal life as narrow “and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:14). The gate is considered small because God the Son is the only bridge that can reconcile fallen man and God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit (vv. 13–14; see John 10:7–9; 16:13). However, Scripture also says that believers from every people, nation, and societal rank can enter heaven and will bow before the King of Kings and worship together around His throne (Revelation 5:9). This phenomenal image of contrast and unity includes all of God’s beautifully diverse people.

 

Though we’re separated from God by our sin, every person God created is invited to enter eternity in heaven by walking this narrow path of reconciliation through a personal relationship with Christ. His sacrifice on the cross, resurrection from the tomb, and ascension to heaven is the good news, accessible to all and worth sharing today and every day.

 

Reflect & Pray
How did you respond after hearing the good news? How can you be more intentional about sharing it with others?

 

God the Father, please empower me through Your Holy Spirit so I can show others the accessible path that leads to Your approachable Son, Jesus.

 

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Our Daily Bread 11th August 2021 Devotional Today Message. Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread.

 

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Love always, Walter and Debbie

[Riverwalker]

I find an interesting correlation between

"and only a few find it."

and 

"He who seeks, finds"

Which is stated just 6 verses before verse 14 in Matthew 7

Available to all....who seek it...who WANT it

 

As always thank you for posting

 

Edited August 11, 2021 by Riverwalker

[missmuffet]

23 minutes ago, Riverwalker said:

I find an interesting correlation between

"and only a few find it."

and 

"He who seeks, finds"

Which is stated just 6 verses before verse 14 in Matthew 7

Available to all....who seek it...who WANT it

 

As always thank you for posting

 

I see your point. It is available to everyone who seeks it.