Friday, September 13, 2013

Living Bread


  


“’I am the living bread that comes down from heaven.
If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever
This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.’”
John 6:51 (NIV)
    


Jesus spoke these words to the Jews. The listeners argued among themselves. They didn’t believe what they heard.
Just as bread is basic to our survival, Jesus is essential to our spiritual health. In John chapter six, Jesus refers to himself as the bread of life five times (6:33, 38, 41, 51, and 58.) The Jewish listeners couldn’t process the thought that Jesus compared Himself to something so different and yet so basic.
My research on this passage shows me that Jesus is essential to our spiritual nourishment as bread is to our physical strength1.“He claimed to be the genuine source of spiritual life and nourishment.”
Just as our physical bodies become run down without our eating of the proper foods, our spirits need to take in Jesus and His teachings in order to grow in our awareness and knowledge of Him. 


1.Gleaned from The Gospel of John, The Daily Study Bible Series, by William Barclay © 1975 p.220

2. The Discovery Study Bible, by Zondervan © 2004 p. 1401

Graphic: Turnbacktogod.com

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Life


.     


“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
John 14:6

Can you picture this scene? The Master speaks to his disciples. He tells them He will soon be going to prepare places for each of them.  He vows to return and take them with Him, to join Him in the place He will be going.

One of the disciples, Thomas, speaks from his bewilderment. “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so can we know the way?”

Jesus responds with “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He says these words with certainty. He doesn't say, “I might be. . . .” He says, “I am . . . . “
He doesn't say, “There are several paths you can take to get to the Father.” He says that everyone gains access to God through Him.


Jesus enriches our lives with His presence. All He asks us to do is to live for Him and make disciples for Him. When God calls us home, He will ask us one question, “What did you do about Jesus?” How will we answer?

Graphic: www.turnbacktogod.com

Monday, September 9, 2013

Cornerstone




“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,
 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus
himself as the chief cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:19-20 (NIV)

Paul tells his readers quite a bit of information in this passage.

“. . . no longer foreigners and aliens. . . “All are welcome into God’s house. Sometimes we walk into a place and feel instantly at home. People shouldn't feel like an outcast or one who isn't acceptable when they enter God’s house.

“. . . fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household. . . ” Seven years ago, this past June the church we had been attending merged with another church in town to become a new church. Those of us who chose to enter this merger experience don’t refer to those who presently worship there as being from either church. We all worship and identify ourselves as people of the new organization. What Paul tells us here is that, once we align ourselves with Jesus, what we were is not important. What is important is that we belong to Him.

“. . . built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets . . .” Our scriptures, inspired by God, come to us through the apostles and the prophets sent by God. One who is striving to follow Jesus relies on the Scriptures to form his or her thought processes and lifestyle.


“. . . with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” In architecture, the cornerstone of a building supports the building. In the construction process, this stone is important. In my town, a downtown church had a cornerstone dated January 1, 1900. That building was destroyed by fire in December, 1960. That church rebuilt on the same spot and today still has a ministry to those in the downtown area.


Graphic:www.purifiedbyfaith.com

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...