The road to Heaven is extremely small and most people will not find it even many people who call themselves Christians. Many people say they love Christ, but their actions show that they truly hate Him. Just because you go to church doesn’t mean you’re going to go to Heaven. Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Isaiah 35:8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. Luke13:23-25 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them. Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? James 4:4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. There will be no excuses in Heaven none whatsoever. If you love the Lord you will commit to Him. You only have one chance. It’s either Paradise or torment. God is good and a good judge must punish the criminal. Whoever wants to keep their life will lose it. Stop being part of the world, deny yourself, and take up the cross daily.
Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; Luke 11:28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” Psalm 34:8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Trust in God brings blessing. Psalm 112:1“Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.” Reverence and obedience bring blessing.
OUR GOD TEACHES US HOW TO LIVE OUR LIFE IN A WAY THAT WILL CAUSE HIM TO WANT TO BLESS US. IT’S OUR CHOICE, MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE.
Who are God’s children? Spiritual birth makes someone a child of God. John 1:12-13, NIV. “To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” Children of God Are Led by the Spirit. Romans 8:14 — “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Christians are adopted into God’s family. Romans 8:16, NIV. “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Galatians 4:4-5, RSV. “But when the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Children of God Are Called to Live Differently. Philippians 2:15 — “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God… among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Children of God Are Heirs With Christ. Romans 8:17 — “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…” Galatians 4:7 — “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Children of God are: Born again through faith, Led by the Spirit, Adopted into God’s family. Loved with a unique, fatherly love, Called to shine in the world, Heirs with Christ.
ARE YOU A CHILD OF GOD? HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD?
Deuteronomy 31:6 — “Be strong and of a good courage… for the Lord thy God… will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” God has promised to be with you; what is there to fear? Hebrews 13:5, 6, NKJV. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ ” Although God will never forsake us, He respects our free will if we choose to leave Him. 2 Chronicles 24:18-20, NKJV. “Therefore they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass. Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the LORD; and they testified against them, but they would not listen. Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, ‘Thus says God: “Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He also has forsaken you.” ’ ” 2 Chronicles 15:2 — “…if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.”
The Bible is very clear on this topic. Here are the key verses that teach a pastor (elder, shepherd, minister) should be financially supported by the church. 1 Timothy 5:17–18 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine… The labourer is worthy of his reward.” What it teaches: “Double honour” includes financial support, not just respect. Paul quotes Jesus to show that spiritual labor deserves material provision. 1 Corinthians 9:13–14 “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” What it teaches: This is the strongest verse. Paul says Jesus Himself commanded that ministers should receive their living from ministry. Galatians 6:6 “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” What it teaches: “Communicate” means share materially — food, resources, finances — with the one who teaches. Luke 10:7 “The labourer is worthy of his hire.” What it teaches: Jesus said this when sending out ministers. Their work deserves support. 1 Corinthians 9:7–11 Paul uses everyday examples: – Soldiers don’t serve at their own expense – Farmers eat from their vineyard – Shepherds drink the milk of the flock What it teaches: It is normal and right for spiritual workers to receive material support. Numbers 18:21–24 The Levites (Old Testament ministers) lived off the tithes of the people. What it teaches: God established a pattern of supporting those who serve in ministry. So what’s the biblical conclusion? The Bible teaches consistently that: Pastors should be financially supported by the church. Paul only refused support at times to avoid misunderstanding — not because pastors shouldn’t be paid.
These verses show that wealth ultimately comes from God, not human effort alone. Deuteronomy 8:18 — God is the one who gives the ability to produce wealth. Proverbs 10:22 — The Lord’s blessing brings wealth without painful striving. Psalm 112:3 — The homes of the righteous can experience wealth and enduring righteousness. Scripture consistently warns that wealth can become a spiritual trap if the heart clings to it. Matthew 6:24 — You cannot serve both God and money; one will dominate your loyalty. 1 Timothy 6:10 — The love of money leads people into harmful desires and spiritual ruin. Ecclesiastes 5:10 — Those who love money never feel satisfied; wealth alone cannot fulfill. Mark 4:19 — Wealth’s deceitfulness can choke out spiritual growth. How God Wants Wealth to Be Used Wealth is a stewardship—meant for generosity, justice, and blessing others. 1 Timothy 6:17–19 — The rich must not be arrogant but generous, using wealth to do good and build eternal treasure. Proverbs 19:17 — Giving to the poor is like lending to the Lord, who repays. 2 Corinthians 9:7 — God loves cheerful, willing givers. Acts 20:35 — It is more blessed to give than to receive.
ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
Psalm 34:8 — “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” In this verse we see David inviting you to personally experience God’s goodness—not just hear about it, but encounter it in a real, life-shaping way. Those who trust Him discover protection, joy, and deep satisfaction. What “taste and see” means Taste — Try it for yourself. Like sampling food, it means engaging with God through prayer, obedience, worship, and trust. It’s experiential, not theoretical. See — Perceive and understand. As you walk with God, you begin to recognize His character, His faithfulness, and His goodness in your life. David isn’t asking you to accept God’s goodness secondhand—he’s urging you to step into it. What you discover when you do: Those who “taste and see” learn firsthand that: God provides for His people (Psalm 34:9–10). God protects and delivers in trouble (Psalm 34:17–19). God gives true happiness and inner stability to those who trust Him. This blessing isn’t a fleeting emotion—it’s a settled joy rooted in God’s unchanging goodness.
God’s Love Is Beyond Measure Ephesians 3:18–19 (GW summary)Paul prays that believers would grasp the width, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love—a love that surpasses knowledge. KJV (full verse) “That ye… may be able to comprehend… what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.” God Loved Us Before We Loved Him 1 John 4:19 (GW summary) We are able to love because God loved us first. KJV (full verse) “We love him, because he first loved us. God Proved His Love by Giving His Son Romans 5:8 (GW summary) God demonstrates His love: Christ died for us while we were still sinners. KJV (full verse) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God’s Love Is Sacrificial and Saving John 3:16 (GW summary) God loved the world so much He gave His only Son so believers can have eternal life. KJV (full verse) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…” God’s Love Is Everlasting Jeremiah 31:3 (GW summary) God says He has loved His people with an everlasting love and continues to draw them with kindness. KJV (full verse) “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” Nothing Can Separate Us From God’s Love Romans 8:38–39 (GW summary) Nothing in all creation—death, life, angels, powers—can separate us from God’s love in Christ. KJV (full verse) “Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS POWERFUL REFRESHER. YES, GOD LOVES US.
