Righteous Pathway Ministries

(Shattered I was written prior to Shattered II be sure to read them both as this will be a continuous journey)                            

I continue to submit to the Lord daily discovering a greater degree of His love for me.  The Spirit of God has led me to the following scriptures.  I know these are a familiar passage for the “church-going-folk” but perhaps the message He is showing me might help some of you as it is ministering to me also at this time.

Matthew 7:13-14 
Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

God allowed me to see that before we can begin our journey on the narrow way we must first enter in at the strait gate.   The meaning of the word strait is: obstacles nearby that would cause a very narrow entrance or passage. 

A lot of things entered my mind.

1. I would have to enter it alone, there wouldn’t be room for two to pass through together.
2. I couldn’t be carrying any extra baggage (weights/sins) or I wouldn’t fit through.
3. I would have to walk upright and straight.  I can remember going up to the Natural Bridge in Kentucky.  There was a passage between two huge stones that was so narrow I had to walk upright, side ways in some places and straight as an arrow to be able to pass through.

Then I wondered, what might the obstacles be on the sides of the straight gate, the entrance of the narrow path?  Could it be?

1. The cares of life?
2. Temptations? 
3. The distraction of the majority?  (those entering the wide gate together and walking on the broad path?  Perhaps even calling over saying “hey, why do you want to be alone, come join us!)

UH, OH, can you see where this is leading?  Self must be denied, the body kept under, and corruptions mortified. Daily temptations must be resisted.  We must watch in all things, and walk with care, just because we have entered the strait gate and begun our journey on the narrow path, does not mean that we are in heaven yet!

Having said this my friends, I am allowing the Lord to search my heart and life.  As God lets me see myself the way He sees me and gives me the grace, mercy, power and strength to change through His Word, Spirit and Love, I am making the necessary changes to have relationship with Him on the straight and narrow way.      

As I continue my journey,

Patricia A. Bishop

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