“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. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  (Matthew 7:13-14, New King James Version)

I was riding along one day, when suddenly I looked up and noticed a sign on a business that read: "Deli sandwiches and Spirits."

My first thought was, I don't want any spirits with my sandwich. I didn’t mind getting the sandwich, that might have been good for lunch or later for dinner. But the looming question that kept plaguing my thoughts was, what kind of spirits are they offering?

Will they be good spirits that will help protect me and help me maneuver safely through life's many differing facets? Or will they be bad spirits that I'll spend every waking moment trying to escape? Who knows? But the one thing I do know for sure, is I am so glad I don't have a drinking problem, because if I did, I sure wouldn't step foot in that liquor store.

It's bad enough to go in bound, but to come out in more bondage because of those spirits lingering around the atmosphere, sure would not make for a very enjoyable lunch break. It's bad enough the corn beef sandwich might attack me later, but I certainly didn't need to have to worry about scary spirits seeking my demise.

I wonder if people know about those spirits. I wonder if they know about God's Holy Spirit. He's the only Spirit that I trust to feed my soul and keep me on the “straight and narrow.” And I also wonder if they know about Jesus? The one who "heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3).

I am so thankful, that He's the one whose name I can use to kick the butts of those bad spirits. And there are two other reasons why I'm so very thankful: the first is because I’m saved by the grace of God, and the second is because I'm being fed so good with God's Word, that I'm not hungry for a deli sandwich from a place filled with spirits. But someone is, so I pray for their deliverance. If you are that someone, please pray this prayer.

Prayer:

Father, I ask You to deliver me from every evil desire that has, is, or will try to overtake me. Please keep my feet on the narrow path that leads to life and away from destruction. Fill my heart with Your love and adoration for You and Your Word. I ask forgiveness for any sins that I have previously committed against You and heaven. And I also seek Your perfect will for my life. Lead me, correct me, protect me and establish me in Your righteousness and Your Word. And what ever else I do in this life; I ask You to help me do it by Your Spirit. In the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, amen.