A WORD FOR TODAY 21 AUGUST 2022

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*THE ROAD TO HEAVEN IS ROUGH, BUT THE END IS GAIN*

_"And some one said to him, Lord, will those who are saved be few? And he said to them, Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able."(Luke 13:23-24)_

_*Life truly is not a bed of roses, if you really want the best out of it you must be ready to go the extra mile and push yourself through the hurdles and challenges it presents so as to conquer them and push through.*_

_Nothing good comes easy and Jesus made this known to us when He said to His disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."(Matthew 16:24-25)_

_*The way that leads to life is different from that which leads to death. The one you follow will depend on the choice you make and whichever way you choose in the end will determine where you will be.*_

_For us to go to heaven we must definitely make a decision to enter through the narrow gate. It may be tough and rough, we will experience pain and suffering, but the joy that comes in the end will surpass whatever we suffer to reach there._

_*To enter through the narrow door is to travel light and to be detached from the things of this world and constantly work to be ready when the master comes knocking to take us back to Himself. If we soak our mind to the things of this world, we will be carried away and we will no longer focus on what matters and that way will definitely lead to perdition.*_

_To enter through the narrow door is to be ready to be chastised and disciplined by God. You may pass through pain and agony, but You will come out better and great, because He who has led you through the wilderness for your purification will also bring you to your land of victory where you shall experience the flow of milk and honey._

_*The journey to heaven involves a struggle, you must really work hard for it. You will show that you desire a place there by what you do and how you grow in righteousness. You don't start and stop, you keep going until you reach your goal. It is forward ever and backward never. The door that leads to heaven is not wide, therefore, you must cut your size (not physically, but spiritually) by self-denial and seeking God first always, this will help you to avoid evil and love righteousness and you will be able to fit into the door. We must make effort to be real christians in word and deed and not just in name so that God will know who you are and you will not be disappointed on the last day. Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last, where do you belong?*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you begin your day and do have a beautiful Sunday. May Jesus give you the grace to continue to make sincere effort to male heaven in the last day. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Isaiah 66:18-21/Psalm 117:1,2/Hebrews 12:5-7,11-13/Luke 13:22-30

*Watch-Word:* Go into all the world and preach the gospel

*The door is the way to life and blessings, do not let anything in this life stop you from going through it. Work on yourself today and you will fit into it perfectly tomorrow.*

(Twenty-first Sunday in the ordinary time. Cycle C)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*