Devo for 08/18/2024 service- Message by Pastor Clint Sprague

This past weekend Pastor Clint returned to the pulpit and started a series titled: “The Way that Leads to Life”.  He will take us through Matthew 5, 6 and 7, the Sermon on the Mount, in the upcoming weeks.

This weeks message keyed on the last 16 verses of Matthew 7.  And the scripture that stuck out to me was verses 21.    

v21-“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  

Jesus goes on to explain that many people will believe they are doing the Lord’s work in the name of Jesus, but actually doing it for selfish reasons.  He then tells us this is v23- 

And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness”

What Jesus was saying was they were doing seemingly great works however it was in their own strength and they were using Jesus’ name for their own glory.  In other words, they had a wrong motive.

We will all stand before Christ on judgement day and our works will be judged by the motive behind them.  We should be judging ourselves and asking: Am I living my life and doing works for my glory?  Have I made things about me?  Or were my motives to give glory to God by and through my works?  

Matthew 7:13 tells us the narrow gate, the one that leads to life, is difficult to get through and few find it.  But as Pastor Clint said we are designed to experience the Life of God so we all have what it takes to walk the path that leads to Life!  But it is a choice.  

Are you willing to walk the difficult path?  Are you willing to judge yourself and your motives in all that you do?   

I encourage us all to get in the presence of God and ask Him this- Do you KNOW me?  Then walk in obedience in what He has for you.   I assure you it is worth it!  

Don’t forget to invite God into your day!

Psalm 139:23-24

Matthew 6:1

Matthew 5:16

Proverbs 8:32