THE INWARD PULL: The need to please

Matthew 7:13-14

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹³Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.
    ¹⁴But the gate is narrow (contracted ^[a]by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it.
 

TWO BARRIERS ON THE ROAD TO WEIRD

1)      THE INWARD PULL: THE NEED TO PLEASE.

Consumed with the need to please. What will people think?

Get rid of my television—wwpt?

Start a ministry to single moms—wwpt?

Minister to foster kids—wwpt?

• Becoming obsessed with what people think—quickest way to forget God what God thinks.

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24 Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the Lord's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. 1 Sam 15:24-25

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Teach kids! Not just ok to be different—Spirit led—WAY BETTER!

Family identity strong—peer pressure weak

Halloween… practice as a family—going to be different.

We as humans have this overwhelming need to please those around us. What should be our main focus how we should please God in all that we do and be the first thought of our day. 

As you can tell this is part my outline from Sunday Morning. Next week I will have video devo will be up. 

Have a blessed Thursday!

Don't get stuck in the buckets

Matthew 7:13-14

New International Version (NIV)

The Narrow and Wide Gates

    ¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Don't get stuck in the bucket! Try this sometime: If you're ever at a beach, just get a little bucket and put a bunch of sand crabs into the bucket and you'll watch that you don't have to put a lid on the bucket to keep the crabs in, because the crabs will do all of the work for you. Whenever one little crab decides, "I'm sick of the bucket! I'm sick of hanging out with crabs and I want to be free!"

Crab one will start to climb out and another crab will say, "No you don't!"

And he'll grab him by the crab butt, and pull his little crab butt back down into the bucket and it will happen every single time! And I can promise you, as soon as you feel the Spirit of God leading you off the normal road, into a God-honoring road, there's going to be a lot of crabby people reaching for you saying, "Don't leave us! Come back to normal! Where do you think you're going?"

You may be wondering, "Why do crabs do that?" And the answer is, nobody knows because crabs don't talk and we can't figure it out at all!

Why do people do that? Because there's comfort in the crowd! "Don't leave us!" 

9 Passion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. 10 When I weep and fast, they scoff at me. 11 When I dress in burlap to show sorrow, they make fun of me. 12 I am the favorite topic of town gossip, and all the drunks sing about me. Ps 69:9-12 NLT

June 5 devo

Matthew 7:13-14

New International Version (NIV)

The Narrow and Wide Gates

    ¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

• IF YOU WANT WHAT NORMAL PEOPLE HAVE, DO WHAT NORMAL PEOPLE DO.

• IF YOU WANT WHAT FEW PEOPLE HAVE, DO WHAT FEW PEOPLE DO.

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Okay to be different: Not only okay

When Spirit directed, WAY BETTER!

Be holy, because I am holy. 1 Peter 1:16

When we see a Pastor, or Priest - People look at them as the definition of a holy person.  I can say for myself... God is still working on me and the process will not be complete until I am in Heaven.  I am striving to be Holy in my life every day. 

 Greek Word for you... 

hagios (hag'-ee-os);  to be holy, pure, set apart, different.

To be different to be set apart (Sanctified)  to live in the world don't participate in all it deception. Be people of the word.. 

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Pursue Christ with all of your heart—be different—weird!

Goal is not weird—honor God.

Remember—no cookie cutter weird—God’s custom weird…

~ No longer go to the parties              ~ Walk away from gossip

               ~ Pray/thank God meals

~ Live simply, give extrav.                

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Leave the wide road and live on the Narrow