"Two Gates" "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13,14). As I write this months newsletter, I'm reminded of Gods faithfulness to us. He loved us enough to send His Son the LORD Jesus Christ to die for us. We celebrate Life because of His shed blood and because God raised Him from the dead and now sits at the right hand of the Father making intersession for us. He has made a Way for us to live a fulfilled life, but it requires faith in the Son of God who gave His life for us. Our great God also loved us enough to create us as free moral agents. He gave us the ability to know Truth that liberates and sets people free. The LORD has set before us His road map that leads to the Zoe Life. What is Zoe Life? It is His Life that He has purchased for every human being. There are two paths and two gates. We have to choose between the Life of God or the life of sin. I believe God has put this sense of urgency in my spirit man to write this message on the "two gates". I'm reminded every day of the seriousness of the times we are living in. As I sit and watch world events on television being reported by the news media I'm seeing prophecy unfold before my eyes. In the scripture reference (Matthew 7:14), Jesus is speaking to people who will listen to His Kingdom message. He is warning all of His listeners of the dangers of being mislead or distracted by a road or path that leads to a gate that is opened for destruction. Proverbs 14:12 says; There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. This is sound counsel to those who are lead by greed and selfishness. This system promises success through ones lustful quest to have more and more but neglecting his responsibilities to God and his fellowman. This lifestyle is of the world and the author of it is the devil himself. He never reveals that its dividends (payoff) is death (Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord). We should not be deceived and lulled unto a path that leads to destruction. How do we avoid it? Intimacy with our Savior! We have to become spiritual people. Ephesians 1:18 "the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints". Everything that God says, is to be understood. He is not speaking mysteries. He wants us to be passionate for Him enough to search the scriptures that we may know Him (Luke 24:45; And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures). With our spiritual understanding being awakened we will be led by the Holy Spirit to the path opened for those that love God and see clearly the gate that leads to True Life . Jesus said in, John 10:9; " I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture". Jesus is the only door that leads to True Life, He is also identified as the "Good Shepherd" (John 10:14). He leads us by His Spirit through good and hard times. He says in Isaiah 43:2; "Fear not, for I have redeemed you I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior". Jesus is our "Life" apart from Him we can do nothing of eternal value (John 15:5). Early in my Christian walk I had a love for the Word of God. I knew it was the Holy Spirit drawing me into a love affair with my Savior. As I yielded myself to this unction, His Spirit began to impart wisdom to me that I never knew. This was unfamiliar territory because I never understood the value of the life that Christ purchased for me and the accountability that comes with such knowledge. The Holy Spirit began to reveal to me that it was no accident or coincident that He redeemed me. He saved me to produce His life in me. If I could become Christ to others then His life would be on display through me. It is all about the life one chooses. God desires for us to be productive and live a life that produces Kingdom mentality. God created us and knows the beginning to the end. When we choose the right way, others will benefit. Our choices effect others even generations to come. This is why the LORD would have us to obey and trust Him concerning our destinies. He gives us specifics on how to live our lives. It is a road map that leads to Kingdom Life and unto Heaven. Only by choosing the right path that God has created and secured for us will we be the Church triumphant. Victory at Calvary gives us the capability to lead others to this victorious Kingdom Life Highway. This Kingdom Life Highway is the One we must remain on. Jesus said himself that difficult is the way and there are few who find it. The Holy Spirit is our Divine Guide that will lead us. He was sent to us to reveal the Greatness of His abiding presence (1 John 4:4). I pray and ask that, you be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 9:14). In Jesus name. Amen!! Rocky Fondren