The Narrow Path Ministries

07/26/2025

"For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." (Matthew 6:13)

When Israel's king and leaders contributed funds to build the temple, King David prayed a moving prayer of thanks to God. He began, "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord" (1 Chronicles 29:11). A paraphrase of David's words is used to conclude the Lord's Prayer: "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen" (Matthew 6:13).

David began his prayer with praise, and praise was the end result (1 Chronicles 29:20). The Lord's Prayer also begins with praise ("Hallowed be Your name") and ends with a doxology of praise ("For Yours is the kingdom").

Keep the examples of Christ and David in mind as you pray to the Father. There is no better way to begin and end our prayers than to praise God for who He is and what He has done.

07/25/2025

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." (Colossians 4:6)

"You are the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13). These familiar words of Jesus suggest that our life is to accomplish the two benefits of salt: seasoning (attractiveness) and preservation. Paul applied the salt metaphor to speech when it came to relating to nonbelievers: Our speech should be graceful (kind, compassionate, encouraging, understanding), seasoned with salt.

How might the two uses of salt, seasoning and preservation, apply to our speech when relating to those who might be opposed to our beliefs or actions? Seasoning suggests speech that adds an attractive flavor to the conversation or dialogue. And preservation suggests doing whatever we can, not just to preserve a relationship but to strengthen it. As Paul wrote in Romans 12:18, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, love peaceably with all men." "All men" includes everyone we encounter, even those who may have done us wrong. Let us speak only "what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29).

Look for an opportunity to encourage someone today with gracious words that are "flavorful" and that strengthen the relationship.

07/24/2025

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

A case can be made for pride being the oldest sin. Paul said as much when he wrote that it was this sin that condemned the devil (1 Timothy 3:6). And in Isaiah 14:13-15, we have the description of Satan expressing his fivefold intent to be like God. Satan's failure was his unwillingness to submit to God, an unwillingness that God opposed.

The apostle James warned that Satan might tempt Christians to be prideful, resulting in God's opposition (James 4:1-7). Why would Satan tempt us to be prideful? Because pride can lead us to a failure to submit to God. Any time we are tempted to sin against God, we can be sure that Satan is fueling that temptation. So what should we do when that happens? Two things: (1) Submit to God and (2) resist the devil (James 4:7). When we are tempted to sin, we resist the devil by submitting to God. And when we submit and resist, the devil "will flee from us."

Satan is always looking for a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). Stop him in his tracks by resisting him and submitting to God.

07/22/2025

"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient. Being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us."

Titus 3:3-5 (NIV)

Christians are sometimes accused of hatred for their refusal to yield on Biblical truth. We must never be what others accuse us of being. Though we must not compromise Biblical truth, we can offer God's Word as the only medicine for a sick world. If others refuse to believe, we can grieve over them, pray for them, share Christ with them, be kind to them, differ with them, ask God for patience with them, and when appropriate, avoid them.

But hatred?

The world can shout "hatred" all it wants, but we cannot let one red strand of a hateful attitude embroider its way into our personalities. Don't let bitterness become rooted in your heart. It's tempting to feel hatred for those who don't agree with us, but there's no room for that.

"Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you." (Matthew 5:44)

Leave the rest to Jesus.

07/21/2025

"For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul"

Jeremiah 31:25 (NKJV)

07/18/2025

07/07/2025

07/04/2025

Come see us at the RiverFest today in Downtown City of Milton Florida! There are also plenty of things for the kids, Bands on the Blackwater starting at 7 pm, and then fireworks start at 9 pm! So bring some chairs and your family!

07/01/2025

Join us or come see us at the City of Milton Florida RiverFest this Friday 4 July 2025 starting at 3 pm!

There will be a lot of vendors, food trucks, family fun, community fellowship, and to top off the night, a fireworks display.

So come on down and check it out! Make sure to bring the entire family!