JESUS AS BREAD IN LIFE

Think About It

Bread is common to experience in most cultures, both past and present. My grandmother, my mother, myself, and my daughter all were known to make homemade bread. The yeast in the bread gives the pungent taste to the dough and pleasant smell as it bakes. 

In third grade I memorized the verse, "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." It was the first verse in a little red booklet of verses. I was on the top bunk and my little sister was on the bottom bunk. I taught it to her, then we recited it together. We said the verse many nights before we said our prayers. I wondered at its meaning. Somehow I knew it was an important concept.

Scripture mentions bread in many passages besides the Last Supper. Some are well known.

"Give us this day our daily bread." We ask God for our daily sustenance. Spiritual sustenance, physical sustenance, God's enabling for the day; the bread is like manna in the desert. We are given what we need.

"Cast your bread upon waters." We share what God gives. The bread multiplies. It becomes spiritual nourishment to many. Freely received, freely given.

"I am the bread of life." Jesus is the bread of life. He is the source of our spiritual sustenance. He gives to us what we need for the day. He is the supplier. We are the receiver.

Jesus said, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)

Jesus is the bread of life. Let's expand on the thought. Our daily supply for what we need is found in Jesus. What an astounding realization. Dwell on the thought for a moment. He is all that and more. I'm thinking of the many ways Jesus meets my needs, day after day; be they emotional, physical, relational, spiritual, or financial. I depend on His sustenance. Just wow!

These Covid-19 months have been hard for everybody everywhere. I've listened to the stories of family and friends. One elderly widow said how she got up, couldn't see any purpose in the day ahead of her. She didn't bother to get dressed for the day. After all, she couldn't go out, and no one could come to visit her. So she went back to bed. Isolation is not natural for us.

Jesus understands. He is with us even when we are all alone. I get discouraged. I get lonely. I live like a hermit except for the occasional family visitor. Jesus holds my hand as we walk through it together. He gives comfort and strength. He is bread in new ways not experienced before 2020. I depend on Him to meet my emotional needs and to provide my spiritual filling. We need Him all the more when our access to human contact is limited.

Every experience in life teaches us something more. I call this the power of more. We are empowered by the things we know for sure. I know God is with me. I know Jesus will give me my daily bread. I know there is life in what He gives which will last me as long as needed. I know I am here for a purpose; one that has positive repercussions.  I also know I can't do life well without Jesus.

Application

• A - Accept the Bread of Life  
• B - Believe on Jesus Christ as your Savior. 
• C - Confess your sins; Cherish Christ's life in you. 

We have been given everything we need in Jesus Christ. When you pray the Lord's prayer, think through what you are saying to God. Pray each phrase and meditate on its meaning. This prayer impacts every aspect of life. Jesus is pleased when we want Him. He expects us to rest in Him. He is the lifter of our souls even during a pandemic.

The Lord's Prayer aka Our Father:

• "This is how you should pray: 
• 'Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, 
• Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
• Give us this day our daily bread.
• Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
• And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'" 
• Amen
  

(Matthew 6:9-13)

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Photo by Dominda Perera, Unsplash 

 

 

BE THE AUTHENTIC YOU

 

DARE TO BE the REAL YOU

 

 

YES, YOU CAN BE YOU

Who am I? What was I meant to be? It has taken years for me to figure this out because of its many facets. I am a contemplative, listener, encourager. I want to help people find their own path to light, spirituality, and life. I see people's wounds and also the good that is resident in them.

Be the real you. I battle with wanting to be liked vs being my real self. Writings and conversations tell your truth. One of Cec Murphey's maxims states it well, "I’d rather be disliked for who I am than to be admired for who I’m not." That's the authentic self; the kind of person I strive to be. 

Spread your wings. Dare to be what you were meant to be. Dreams can allure as they engage the heart and soul. It is in the being, though, rather than the dreaming, that makes life sing in its originality. Who were you meant to be? Who are you? Answer the question. It's a hard one.

I was depleted. My joy, in the tank. My liveliness, waning. My energy, in need of a reboot. I cried out to God, "Help me!" The next morning, I felt revived, energetic. Halfway through the day, I thought about my increased happiness. What's come over me? Then I remembered my prayer from the day before. My prayer had been answered. God was helping me.

Sometimes we need a break. Today I took off a day from busyness to read for pleasure. Just what I needed. I'd been worn out from the emotions that come with changing dynamics. I read about angels in everyday life. Very intriguing. I have experienced the unusual and could identify with some of the stories.

Keep these words from Philippians in mind:

 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

That’s right on the money. God says to come to Him, to place our trust in Him. He is the giver of peace who guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. What a beautiful promise. There’s our part, and there’s God’s part.

APPLICATION

This isn’t about others; it is about you. Be confident. Place your trust in God. Listen to Him. Allow Him access. Trust Him with your real self. Be the person God made you to be. Don't try to be like someone else, be uniquely you. Seek God to help you understand this.

• Memorize and recite often: Philippians 4:6-7
•  Tell God of your need
• Give praise and thanksgiving

In Christ, you can do this.

I wish you well on your spiritual journey. 

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Photo by Baard Hansen, Unsplash

Te

WHEN GOD OPENS DOORS

 SPIRITUAL DESTINY & YOU

"I am a little pencil in God’s hands." -Mother Teresa

YOUR JOURNEY

ADULT LIFE IS a mind game. You choose your destiny by how you choose to deal with your past, present, and future. Healthy or unhealthy, you hold the keys to your path. Happy or unhappy, it is up to you. You owe it to yourself to deal with your stuff and move forward. You can do this.

Inner-directedness means we are guided by our own personal beliefs, God's Spirit within us, and the right thing to do in the circumstance. We do not worry about what other people think since our motivation is to walk in the Spirit. This frees us from needing others to direct us.

A living faith opens doors into greater, broader realms of newness and joy. Living faith is known through the Spirit of God. It is manufactured through His enabling, enlivening, holy, supernatural Presence. The evidence of this inner liveliness is seen in an individual's words, actions and at times by a glowing radiance.Their visage is soft, not hard.

 YOU + GOD

Looking forward, then moving forward, meeting new challenges as they come, wave after wave, provides energy with synergy that makes a huge difference in your outlook and bearing as a believer. You look to God. God infuses you with the strength you need. He helps grow you as a person and fills your days with His grace. 

"My heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence."  Acts 2:26-28

 THE SECRET

God gives us what we need when we need it. You are on a spiritual journey that will change you. It will change how you think, how you respond, what you do, and what matters in life. There's always something more to learn as you move forward to meet the next thing. Though it won't be easy, you can do this. Here's the secret; keep your eyes on Christ.

APPLICATION

1. Start each day by thanking God for it.
2. Ask God to direct your day.
3. Talk to God throughout your day.

Do this and your days take on new meaning and greater purpose. You become a blessing to others. You are strengthened during challenges. You learn to trust God in everything. Your faith expands commensurate with your depth of trust in God. God is your silent partner.

God bless you.

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Meditation 3

Photo by Timothy Eberly, Unsplash