3 “ 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 . 14 Because [ a ] narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life , and there are few who find it .

Matthew 7 : 13 ,

14 NKJV

One day , Jesus was walking with his disciples when one young man came rushing and knelt at the feet of Jesus . He asked very sincerely , “ What must I do to gain eternal life ?”

The Saviour looked intently at him and the Scriptures said that He loved him . So he said that “ if you would like to gain eternal life , follow the commandments ”. The reply was quick . “ Which one ?”, said he , and Jesus quoted ,” ‘ Do not murder ,’ ‘ Do not steal ,’ ‘ Do not bear false witness ,’ ‘ Honour your father and your mother .’” “ Oh , those ? Why , I have been keeping them from my youth , up to now .” “ If you want to be perfect ,” says the Lord , go home , sell all your possessions , give to them the poor , then come and follow Me .” The young thought , “ This is tough . Giving all my millions to the poor and follow this guy who doesn ’ t even have a house ? Forget it .” Then he turns away sorrowful for he had vast holdings in real estate . Jesus said , ““ Take heed and beware of covetousness ,[ b ] for one ’ s life does

not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses .” Luke 12 : 15 NKJV .

Only the saved can be citizens of heaven , The Apostle John , wrote about the New Jerusalem and those people who will inhabit it . He said , 27 But nothing unworthy will be allowed to enter . No one who is dirtyminded or who tells lies will be there . Only those whose names are written in the Lamb ’ s book of life [ a ] will be in the city . Revelation 21 : 27 Contemporary English Version . Further in Revelation 22 : 14-15 , Jesus , the Revelator said , “ 14 “ God will bless all who have washed their robes . They will each have the right to eat fruit from the tree that gives life , and they can enter the gates of the city . 15 But outside the city will be dogs , witches , immoral people , murderers , idol worshipers , and everyone who loves to tell lies and do wrong .”

Those people in verse 15 are those people who want to walk in the broad way and don ’ t like to go through the narrow gate . “

3 “ 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 . 14 Because [ a ] narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life , and there are few who find it .

Matthew 7 : 13 ,

14 NKJV

But there is still hope ~! God is merciful and gracious to all humans because He created us and loves us so much that He gave up His only Son to die for our sins . He said in Ezekiel 33 : 11-12 11 Say to them : ‘ As I live ,’ says the Lord God , ‘ I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked , but that the wicked turn from his way and live . Turn , turn from your evil ways ! For why should you die , O house of Israel ?’ 12 “ Therefore you , O son of man , say to the children of your people : ‘ The righteousness of the righteous man shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression ; as for the wickedness of the wicked , he shall not fall because of it in the day that he turns from his wickedness ; nor shall the righteous be able to live because of his righteousness in the day that he

sins .’ ( TO BE CONTINUED )

For prayer , questions and Bible study , call Ben at 604-581- 1278 , Junjun at 778-927-8040 , and Stanley at 604-700-3053 . You are invited to worship with us every Sabbath ( Saturday ) at the Abundant Life Seventh-day Adventist Church at 13062-104 Avenue , Surrey . Welcome .

Our new shepherd , Pastor Leomar Macaraig also takes care of the Vancouver Filipino and Burnaby FilCan SDA churches . His phone number is ; 604-928-3579 . Every Friday , we have a Bible Study with the Pastor . Everybody is welcome to attend , whether you are a Seventhday Adventist or not . The Word of God is for everyone . Our address is 9495- 132 Street , Surrey .

Someone said that photographers can be mean . Why ? First , they frame you , then they shoot you , then they hang you on the wall .

In today ’ s Gospel ( Mk . 1 , 21- 28 ), we hear how Jesus was the subject of the crowd ’ s amazement and astonishment because of His teachings and miracles . He was the favorite of “ photographers ” then , and He was the focus of everyone ’ s eye and the subject of everyone ’ s tongue . And so it was , but only for a while , for fame fades as fast as it comes .

There will always be framers and shooters , people who frame you and then shoot you down . Why ? That ’ s because there will always be insecure and envious people . Like Jesus , may we learn to stay focused on our mission , and not so much on human approval or rejection . It ’ s true : What people say about us is none of our business .

Today , let us take time to acknowledge and appreciate the people in our lives who stand by us through the good times and the bad , who take us for what we are , and who believe in us no matter what . These are the people that really matter in the end . Real friends are few . We don ’ t

need followers and fans . All we need really are believers and friends .

No one stays in center stage forever . The loudest and the brightest will soon fade away , be forgotten , and be gone . Too bad if they made noise and lit the fireworks not for something or someone greater than themselves .

Today is National Bible Sunday . Let us stay focused on the Word of God which is solid and constant . There are so many worldly voices , ideas , philosophies , and ideologies that only confuse and manipulate us . May we listen to God more , and less to ourselves , and to human opinion .

It is the presence of God and the Word of God that keep us afloat . Let us not sink and drown in the sea of earthly concerns , pressures and problems . The Word of God is the only life vest we need .

I often tell people before I give a blessing to them to bow their heads in prayer , and smile ! Yes , all too often we come to God sad , serious , even in tears , fully focused on our problems and petitions . That ’ s okay , but can we not come to God with a smile , trusting in His love , thanking Him for His forgiveness and patience , and

allowing Him to smile at us and assure us that He is in complete control of everything and everyone in our lives ?

When was the last time you really laughed ? Laughter is a blessing . A family that prays together stays together . So does a family that laughs together . It is a blessing to have a family , or a community , or a circle of friends that knows how to smile and laugh . Please don ’ t forget that one mark of a true Christian is that of being joyful .

Speaking of photography , let us make sure that God is in the picture , and that we are not confined to our “ selfie ” or “ groufie ” tendencies . Let us not leave the Lord out of our picture . Let us put Him at the center of our lives , and in whatever we are going through in our lives .

Let us not forget the “ big picture .” May God give us the grace to look beyond what meets our eyes , to seek broader horizons , and to go beyond our limited vision .

Think about this : “ Staying positive doesn ’ t mean being happy all the time . It means that even on hard days you know that there are better

ones coming .”

The CHS Alumnae Foundation Inc . invites you to Homecoming 2018 on Feb . 4 at the College of the Holy Spirit , 163 Mendiola , Manila . Registration starts at 8 a . m . Holy Mass will be celebrated at 10 a . m ., to be presided over by Fr . Manoling Francisco , SJ . There will be a Jubilarians ’ presentation after lunch by the Classes of ’ 68 , ’ 63 , ’ 58 , ’ 53 and ’ 48 , and the Classes of ’ 73 and ’ 78 . Inviting all CHS alumnae to come together , remember , rejoice , and renew . A moment with the Lord : Lord , help us not to leave You out of the picture . Amen . ( inquirer . net )