​Duet 8:10-20
God knows all the time that people have the tendency to forget things. 
That’s why He gave us His written Word so that we have something to read & refresh.
God knew that we will forget what He has done for us on a daily basis.
So He gave us His Living Word Bible to constantly remind ourselves of those things.
I. CAREFUL DO NOT FORGET GOD (10-13)
We can read instances after instances in Old Testament where Israel often forgot God.
Moses clearly reminds them that not to forget God in their prosperity.
Not just forgetting God but also must obey His commands and instructions faithfully.
Human tendency is to forget God when we are doing well in our life.
Moses is warning Israel that they need to praise and thank God before and after a meal.
He is reminding them that they need to be grateful to God in their riches and abundance.
Same principle applies to us - thank God for our home, job, car, daily needs & cell phone.
II. FORGET NOT GOD’S BLESSINGS (14-16)
God is reminding the people of Israel their 400 years of slavery in Egypt – their 40 years of Exodus journey – God’s miraculous provision throughout.
In our own life we too go through terrible wilderness like situations of confusion, doubts, fears, frustrations, dangers and temptations we face every day.
It is always our God who has delivered us from all such situations and gave us victory.
Before we came to the Lord Jesus Christ we too were under the bondage of sin.
God has redeemed us from the bondage of sin through the Cross of Christ.
No doubt our Christian walk is full of temptations, difficulties and challenges.
But God’s miraculous provision in Holy Spirit guides us throughout our journey.
III. REMEMBER GOD IS THE SOURCE (17-18)
We should not lose sight of one important aspect of our life.
What we are today, what we have to day and what we will tomorrow is all God’s grace.
Never think for a minute that our accomplishments in life, our jobs, our homes and all that we have is God’s love & mercy towards us.
So our real source in life is God, just God.
We have to remember always that God grants us the ability to do our best in life.
He provides the ways and means to accomplish all that we can. 
IV. DREADFUL CONSEQUENCES FOR FORGETTING GOD (19-20)
Prophet Moses issues a stern warning to the people of Israel of the consequences for forgetting God and follows their own ways.
He particularly highlights one thing – replacing God with smaller gods.
Definitely idol worship replaces the Living God but we follow idols of various kinds.
Not giving God His place in life is an idol – giving top priority to material things is an idol.
Our priorities in life though very important and dear to us, should never replace God from the number one spot.
People of Israel were punished severely when their priorities got screwed up.
Just remember that all that we are today is God’s grace and kindness.
God began a new life in us through our Lord Jesus and guiding us through Holy Spirit.
We should not forget this that God loved us first before we loved Him.
From last thanksgiving to this thanksgiving lot of water flown under the bridge.
Each of us can acknowledge that God is with us and providing & protecting us every day.
God is the source for all that we could accomplish all that we will accomplish in future.
If we fail to give God the glory or thank Him for all His blessing, there will be some consequences – such severe consequences come in various forms.
Let us be grateful to God for everything He does in our life and always keep Him first.

1 John 3:1-10
John is saying that our works, good or bad, will not determine our salvation.
But our works as believers display and demonstrate our salvation.
Apostle John describes that habitual sinning is a proof that we do not know God. 
If we are the children of God we should not habitually living in a lifestyle of sin.
We do know that Christian will sin, but we should always live in opposition to sin. 
I. GOD’S CHILDREN IDENTIFIED (1-3)
A. God’s Love Lavished through Jesus Christ (1)
God loves all creation but His loves optimizes in Christ to those who received Jesus.
God’s love is known only through Christ – Through Him God calls us children of God.
These children have an intimate knowledge of God because they have a deeper relationship.
The world does not know God because it does not know Christ.
B. Great Expectation of seeing Christ (2)
John declares that we are now the children of the Living God because of Christ.
He talks about the future outcome of Christians which is not known to them now.
This we definitely know from the scripture that we will be like Lord Jesus Christ in heaven.
It’s the most thrilling expectation that we will see the Lord.
C. Under Sanctifying Grace (3)
Those who have this hope will stay pure and remain pure because our Lord is pure.
The only requirement is to strive hard to live a pure life in order to meet the Lord.
It is difficult and tough to pursue a life of purity in the midst of a corrupted world.
But that is what expected of a Christian – no option is given.
II. CHRIST DEALT WITH HUMAN SIN (4-6)
A. Sin Defined (4)
Lawlessness is nothing but declaring our independence against authority.
John is saying, we cannot be children of God if we live lifestyles of lawlessness.
We could be doing everything right in our outward religious ritual and rule.
But in our heart we could be a rebellious individual with all sinful thoughts.
Sins are the fruit but SIN is the root - matter of WILL - rebelliousness of our will.
Sin is not just an outward act but it is also an inward attitude.
B. Sinless Christ (5)
First of all it’s important to understand that Christ has no SIN to begin with.
That sinless Christ became sinful for all of us so that He can redeem us from SIN & sins.
C. Remain in Christ (6)
If we want to abide with Christ means to identify with Him – His sinless nature.
If we continue in sin would be a denial of the Name that we bear, “in Him (Christ), is no sin”. 
Not only it is to deny the sinless character of Christ, but also deny His cross.
III. CHRIST DESTROYED DEVIL’S WORK (7-9)
Let me summarize what Apostle John is saying here:
1. Do not be deceived by the world.
World always has an agenda – anti-Christ agenda.
Christ is righteous – Follow Him – Reject world’s philosophies.
Practicing unrighteousness is contrary to the nature of God or Christ.
2. Satan has been defeated by Lord Jesus Christ.
Satan “has been sinning from the beginning” means he is sinning without a break.
John concludes that if anyone is in a habitual lifestyle of practicing sin they belong to Satan.
3. We are born of God
Essentially it means the new life that we have in Christ, is the seed of God's life in us. 
For John is saying that the evidence that God's life and seed remains in us is a life of holiness and not a life of sinfulness.
So once God’s seed is implanted in our hearts (salvation experience) it will stay forever.
John is saying that if we are living with Lord Jesus and abiding in Him, it's because we are closer to Him, identifying with Him in His purity day by day.
John warns us that a sinful lifestyle can never ever be an alternative lifestyle to the child of God.

Matthew 7:13-14
In life many of us stand at the cross roads of our life and think which way to go.
Sometimes we regret for those choices which had negative impact on our life.
Yogi Berra, the legendary former Baseball player was famous for his use of words in English.
“If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.”
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it."
A fork in the road of life Demands a Decision to reach a Destination.
May we be careful the choices we make that may have devastating effect on our life.
Lord Jesus throughout Sermon on the Mount speaks of contrasts in spiritual life.
He taught everyone has two options in spiritual life – to choose life or death.
His sermon demands an absolute choice that leads to eternal life.
But Lord gives two choices only one possibility for the people to choose.
A contrast is between two kinds of roads of life – one is difficult & the other is smooth.
These two verses offer two gates, two ways, and two destinations with two outcomes.
The narrow gate that leads to a narrow way – heaven is the destination. 
And the wide gate that leads a broad way – hell is the destination.
I. THE LORD’S CHOICE (13a)   “Enter through the narrow gate.”
Lord Jesus is not speaking literally of gates but only figuratively.
Lord Jesus commands everyone to choose His choice – the narrow gate.
The Narrow Gate does not appeal to human eye but we have to choose it because the Lord said so.
I. INVITING BROAD GATE (13b)
“Wide is the gate”
This gate is so wide that it allows as many people as possible like a 6 lane freeway in USA.
This gate is always inviting and compelling – no restrictions of any kind – a smooth and comfortable to travel – above all it is so accessible to one and all.
“Broad is the road”
Allows every kind of baggage – baggage of worldly attractions – all religious beliefs – all lifestyles – all philosophies - all worldly treasures – all that this world offers.
 “Leads to destruction and many enter through it”
Lord Jesus says the final destination of this wide gate opens to a wide road that ends in eternal hell and punishment.
Unfortunately many knew about the outcome of this gate yet still prefer it because of its attractions and glitters of the world.
Momentarily all who prefer this gate & road have success – happiness- enjoyment of material things of this world.
This world does not like restrictions - the one who travels on this has no restrictions of any kind – one has lots of companions travelling on this road.
II. INTIMIDATING NARROW GATE (14)
The Lord’s command was very specific to enter through the narrow gate.
It is not an option but a command to enter this narrow gate.
The requirement for this narrow gate is every individual has to enter alone one person at a time.
So it is intensely a personal journey of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is because our love & faith in Lord Jesus we are compelled to enter this narrow gate.
The narrow road provides other disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These travelers do have an unseen companion to walk with, the Holy Spirit.
This way leads to eternal life but the starting point is here on earth.
Very few people travel on this narrow path that leads to eternal life.
The broader road leads to a place that ends in eternal destruction of the soul.
The narrow path though difficult to travel has a wonderful & blissful ending.
Entering the narrow gate is the beginning and travelling on way with the Lord is no option and devil’s temptations are always a challenge.
My friend which road are you travelling?
The Lord keeps bringing the narrow road at every corner of the broad way and provides His grace to stop and think for His plans for you.
Remember, only the narrow gate & narrow way leads to eternal heaven.

Detour is always a pain in the neck – it is a frustrating experience to go thru.
The Israelites did face a detour sign in front of them when they were almost there at the Promised Land.
We have to keep in mind that they were traveling for nearly 40 years to get to this point. 
In chapter 20 Moses requested permission to pass thru Edom – King of Edom rejected it.
In fact Edomites were related to Israelites thru Esau, the elder brother of Jacob.
Moses had no other recourse except to go around Edom.
Now we see another Cainite King of Arad creating another detour to the people of Israel.
Now the detour was getting on their nerves – detour of hundreds of miles – imagine with such humongous crowd of people – all were travelling on foot.  
THE DESPERATION (4-5)
First - they were impatient
Second – they were venting out their anger
In desperation people always blame somebody for the inconvenience caused.
But here the people of Israel blame God & Moses for putting them thru this ordeal.
They questioned God for bringing them out of Egypt - they detest everything so far.
A. Do we have to go thru this horrible journey? 
B. No good food - though Manna was given from heaven
C. No water supply - though water was provided thru a rock.
D. They detested everything that happened in the desert.
Sounds familiar – Today’s generation complains a lot - complain for lack of this or that.
THE PUNISHMENT & REPENTANCE (6-7)
They were still travelling thru a desert land where snakes are common thing.
God did not like their attitude or behavior – punishment comes in the shape of snakes.
Many died because of snake bites – no number given – it should be definitely alarming.
The people of Israel acknowledged their sinful behavior against God & Moses.
The punishment leads to repentance – people who realized their sinfulness repented.
Through our behavior or attitude many times we rebel against God and question Him.
Many times we don’t realize God is disciplining us in various ways – sometimes severely.
THE CURE (8-9)
God heard the prayers of Moses and provided them a cure from the curse.
He provided a cure for their bite by using the same snake as a symbol of cure. 
The text says “anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." 
Cure or relief comes from just looking at the bronze serpent on a pole.
It was purely exercising their simple faith to get the cure – it was supernatural - immediate.
Modern mind cannot rationalize or comprehend the strange cure because it defiles all scientific application.
No logical connection between looking at a bronze snake and be cured of a snake bite.
Because there was no magical power exists in the bronze snake to cure them.
Everyone bitten by snake must believe God at His word.
The Israelites were confronted with a decision, to look up and live, or not to look up and die. 
The decision to look up entirely rests with each Israelite.
God was not forcing anyone – it was their choice & option to look at bronze serpent.
The text says, "Then when anyone looked at the bronze snake, he lived". 
In many cultures snakes are held in high esteem as powerful religious symbols.
In Judeo- Christian cultures snakes are almost always symbols of evil.
Our modern medical symbol of two snakes wrapped around a staff comes from ancient Greek Mythology.
Lord Jesus mentions this particular incident in John 3:14-15
The Deliverer who is lifted up on the CROSS can save all humankind from sin.
The most important unique feature of Christian faith is that we are putting our trust in the Risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Many are still trapped in the snake bite of sin and destined to die.
Humanity’s only option for eternal life is to look at the cross of Lord Jesus.
Look to the Risen Lord Jesus with faith and receive the cure for sin.
Today everyone has a choice & an option – Lord Jesus will never force anyone to believe.
It is everyone’s choice to avail the opportunity and be cleansed of sin by accepting the salvation freely given at the foot of the cross.
It defiles the scientific phenomenon but it is written in God’s Word.
Lord Jesus provided the cure for sin and He did not give any other option.
My friend, only Jesus cross provides the forgiveness for sin and there is no other way.