Jesus-The Bread of Life

“I am the bread of life. He whom comes to me

will never go hungry and he who

believes in me will never be thirsty.”

John 6:35 (NIV)



In our society, bread is considered the staff of life. In our family eateries, each meal is served with dinner rolls, biscuits, or quick breads. Even the Italian restaurants and pizza franchises offer bread sticks. Bread seems to be essential to our physical well being. In our scripture passage, Jesus identifies Himself as ‘the bread of life. ‘He further states, ‘He who comes to me will never go hungry . . . .’ Here Christ speaks of spiritual well-being.

In order to keep our spirit from being hungry, we have to ‘feed’ it with God’s word. We have times of basking in His presence and receiving His love.

When we feed upon His Word, we come away filled with His love and with thanksgiving of who He is and, then, for what He does.

As we bask in His presence, we experience Him in a way that we can’t easily describe. We feel peace invade our souls. We can almost hear Him speak to our hearts. Our hearts are warmed.

Because we receive His love, He commands us to share that love with those we meet. Recently hubby and I had a day that, in his words, “We brought cheer to three lonely people today, the lady on the restaurant, our friend Bob, and our neighbor, Earl.”

Dear Lord Jesus:

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You guiding us through each day. Thank You for giving us spiritual nourishment that sustains us when we are down-hearted. We give you the glory. In the name of Jesus, we pray. AMEN

Arvella’s In Heaven

One of my dearest friends, Martha, lost her stepmother recently. Arvella G. left this world of pain after living here for 100 years.

Her family knew her demise was coming. She experienced heart problems this fall. The only way I can explain how lovely this woman was and how much she meant to her family is to share some stories about her.

When she married Martha’s dad-a widower with three grown children, she became grandma to the grandchildren at that time and to those that came later. Even in telling her own grandchildren, Martha said, “Grandma has died.”

When David, Martha’s husband, suffered a massive heart attack, Arvella graciously let me come to her home to find out how he was progressing. We talked about my family and Martha’s daughter’s and their children. I believe I was there over an hour.

Last December, I went to the area Healthcare Campus where Arvella had chosen to move four and a half years earlier. My reason for being there was to purchase some of the calendars they had made for a community project. She was sitting in the lobby. She smiled the same sweet smile as she had done since I had met her back in the 1970s. We talked about the usual things-how were my son and husband doing, how was I doing? She somehow got the idea that I was ‘so busy’ with things.

I met Tom, one of her nephews, and Judy, his wife, and family when my son and I started going to another church in 1981. I gave Judy our address. She told me, “I know right where that is. Tom’s aunt lives in that area.” I didn’t know until one of Tom’s uncles died that Tom’s aunt was Arvella.

When our son graduated from high school, Martha’s younger daughter, Sheila, was in his class. I remember Martha and David, her dad and Arvella sat behind us at the service.

It was always a joy to see her and hear of her activities. She used to go to the grocery store on Thursdays. One time I saw her there. She smiled and greeted me. We talked briefly. Her disposition always made me feel good.

All those who had the opportunity to know her received a special reward. The family received a very definite blessing.

At her funeral, one of the pastors told of her activities while she resided at the assisted living facility. She belonged to the Red Hat Society. She learned sign language and took Spanish 101. She posed for a picture for a community calendar the healthcare campus published.

She will be missed, but she hasn’t really left us. She lives in our hearts. Everyone who knew her has a couple of stories to share about her.

Those who went to the cemetery were invited to take a flower from the arrangements with them. I selected a rose that was just beginning to open. It graced my coffee table for almost two weeks.

Shepherd

“For the lamb at the center of the throne

will be their shepherd;

He will lead them to springs of living water.

Rev 7:17 (NIV)



“‘I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep

and my sheep know me-just as the Father knows me

and I know the Father- and I lay down my life for the sheep.’”

John 10:14-15(NIV)



The Pharisees listen as Jesus explains His role while one earth. He has a God-mandated position. He likens Himself to a shepherd.

A shepherd has the responsibility of the care, well being and protection of the sheep. The shepherd knows each of the sheep in his charge. The animals know him as well. They know his voice (John 10:4).

Jesus, just like a shepherd, chooses to guide us to through trauma into rest and recovery. He watches over us, provides our daily needs and keeps us from harm.

In our daily lives we have times when we know Jesus watches over us and the ones we love. He does it in many ways, small and large. We have traveled and returned safely from our journey. He has healed us from injury. He wraps his arms of love around us when we have fear.

Jesus knows each of His followers. We, as believers, recognize His presence and see His hand in events in our lives.

Dear Jesus:

Thank You for your watch care over us. We believe You are always near to us and guide us even though, at times, we don’t realize it. For these signs of Your love, we give You glory and honor. In the name of Jesus, we pray, AMEN

Jesus-The Light of the World

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me

will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 (NIV)



Our neighbor has a security light that comes on when someone gets to a certain spot on his driveway. Several years ago, it came on and scared some police officers when they received a call about a strange recurring sound that came from the yard. While it startled the two police investigators and any others who venture there, it brought peace to our neighbors.

We read in our Bibles that Jesus identifies himself as ‘The Light of the World.’ By shedding light into our lives, He calls attention to our sins, protects us from harm, and guides us through murky times.

Whenever I feel I have an issue working on my spirit, I can go to Jesus and express my feelings. If I feel the need, He even allows me to vent. He shows me what I need to do in order to advance beyond the depression, the anger or the frustration I may have, all because of His light.

He took my sin upon Himself when He willingly gave His life for me. He forgave me just as He did the repentant thief.



Dear Jesus:

Thank you for shedding your light upon my dark world. Back then, I felt as though I wasn’t worth anything; it was as if I had no real earthly friends. There was an issue in our home that needed Your light and You resolved that circumstance. I give you the praise for that. In the name of Jesus, I pray. AMEN

Jesus

I felt out of kilter with my devotional life recently. I remembered the names of Jesus I had chosen for my blog topics for this Advent season. I found myself thinking of ways to describe Him to others. Here’s what I put together. I pray you will enjoy them.




Jesus, You are Awesome

Jesus, You are Beautiful

Jesus, You are Close to us

Jesus, You are Delightful

Jesus, You are Eternal

Jesus, You are Faithful

Jesus, You are Glorified

Jesus, You are Holy

Jesus, You are Immanuel

Jesus, You are Jehovah

Jesus, You are King

Jesus, You are Lovely

Jesus, You are Mighty

Jesus, You are Near

Jesus, You are Omnipotent

Jesus, You are Powerful

Jesus, You are Quietly at work

Jesus, You are Righteous

Jesus, You are Steadfast

Jesus, You are Truth

Jesus, You are Unfailing

Jesus, You are Victorious

Jesus, You are Wondrous

Jesus, You are Extraordinary

Jesus, You are Yahweh

Jesus, You are Zealous

His Name Is Immanuel-God With Us

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had

The Holy Family

said through the prophet: ‘the virgin will be with

child and will give birth and they will call him

Immanuel- which means, ‘God with us.’”

Matthew 1:22-23 (NIV)


One of the first things I ask when I hear of a baby going to be born is if the parents-to-be have thought of any names. Names are usually chosen with great care. If a name or the set of initials carry a negative idea or profane idea, most parents won’t consider it.

Our names last our whole lives. We might have a shortened form of our given name that we or others use. On the occasion of a hospital admission our given name will be used unless the nursing staff asks what we go by. When we reach a certain point in life we become known to our health insurance providers by our first name, no matter what we have gone by in our life

When the angel visited Joseph and told him not to be afraid to accept Mary as his wife, the visitor told him to ‘give him the name Jesus’. Now this is not just the whim of the angel. The Lord God had spoken through Isaiah and gave this name to His emissary He will send to earth.

"God with us”-what does that mean? A family I know has gone through a difficult time for just over a year now. God has been beside then each day since this circumstance entered their lives.

“God with us”- an elderly friend of mine has dealt with a ‘backset’ in her health. A mutual friend got the lady into her doctor. The doctor tweaked the lady’s meds. She started feeling better in two days time.

“God with us”-We received a phone call one Sunday afternoon that took us to the hospital bedside of my husband’s sister. They had to transfer her to a hospital that specialized in trauma care. Eleven days later, we watched her as she was transferred to her heavenly home.

“God with us” This past winter, our son expanded his job search. He started applying for government jobs. He was offered a job in a town six hundred miles and three states away. His plan was to fly out there, look for an apartment and return and get what he needed for an apartment. He planned for a two day trip to do this. We had a horrendous winter storm come through the Midwest. Airports closed, the interstate closed in the state lying to the east of his destination. He had to make plane, motel and rental car reservations three times. Our son did get to his new town. He did get those things he needed for his apartment. God allowed him to make that trip safely both times.

Happy Thanksgiving To You; Unplugging

I wish you and your families all a Happy Thanksgiving. Here at our house, we won't be doing anything holiday style until next weekend. Our son will be home next Friday. We will have Thanksgiving, Christmas and celebrate Son's birthday in three days time.  We can't wait to see himwidth

Me and Hubby and Son

Because I have tons of things to do beforehand  and then, I don't want to miss visiting with him, I am unplugging from my blog for the next ten days.