LIFE WITHOUT BREAD

I am the bread if life.  JOHN 6 :48

In culture with an abundance of food choices, bread is no longer a necessary part of the diet so some choose to live without it for various reasons. In the first century, however, bread was viewed as an essential staple. A diet without bread was a foreign concept
      One day a crowd of people sought out Jesus because He had performed the miracle of multiplying loaves of bread (John 6 :11,26). They asked Him to perform a sign like the manna from heaven that God had provided for His people in the desert (6:30-31; Ex.16:4). When Jesus said He was "the true bread from heaven" (John 6:32), the people didn't understand. They wanted literal daily bread. But Jesus was saying that He had been sent to be their spiritual bread: He would supply their daily spiritual needs. If they by faith applied and took His words and life into very souls, they would experience everlasting satisfaction (v.35).
       Jesus doesn't want to be an optional commodity in our diets; He desires to be the essential staple in our lives, our "necessary " food. As first century Jews could never imagine life without physical bread, may we never attempt to live without Jesus, our spiritual bread!

Faithful Friend of God

But you, Israel, are My servant. . . the defendant of Abraham My friend.
Isaiah 41:8

When a president leaves office, work begins on his presidential library. It is where the legacy of his life is exhibited and studied. His accomplishments, great and small are on display so that scholar s and schoolchildren alike can research his life and learn.
      As great leader of Hus people, Abraham would've worthy of a museum and archive if he lived today. Instead, we have the words of Scripture that describe His greatness. We read that he was hospitable to strangers (Genesis 18:1-8), he was obedient to God's laws (Genesis 26.:5), and the Lord had blessed him in every way (Genesis 24:1). Can you imagine your name being used to describe God the Father? When Scripture refer to the  Lord as "the God of Abraham" ( Genesis 26:5),  and the LOrd had blessed him in every way (Genesis 24:1). Can you Imagine your name being used to describe God the Father? When the  Scripture refer to "the Lord as the God of Abraham"  (Genesis 26:24) they esteem him.
     Perhaps the greater honor the scripture ascribe to Abraham is that he was the "friend of God." In three separate places, these words describe  Abraham (2 Chronicle 20:7, Isaiah 41:8,James 2:23). Are you a friends of God? Do you respect Him, honor Him,  love Him and confide in Him! Abraham's example is for each of us today.

WHOSE WILL?

Not as I will, but as Thou. Wilt.
Matthew 26: 39 NASB

A Christian woman once confided to a friend that she found it nearly impossible to pray. "Thy will be done." She was afraid of what the Lord might call her to do. Very specifically, she feared being called to a snake-infested swamp to take the Gospel to headhunting natives. As the mother of a young child, she simply could not bear the thought that God might call her to leave her child and sacrifice her life on the mission field.
      Her friend said to her, "Suppose your little girl came to you tomorrow morning and said, Mommy, i have made up my mind to let you have your own way with me from now on. I'm always going to obey you and i trust you completely to do everything you think is best for me? How would you feel?"
      The woman replied, "Why, I'd feel wonderful. I'd shower her with hugs and kisses and do everything in my power to give her all the things that were good for her and which would help her talent s and use them to their fullest."
       The friend said, "Well, that's how the Lord feels as your Heaven!y Father His will is going to be far better than anything you have imagined, not far worse."
       God's will for Jesus did not end with the pain and suffering of the cross. The "end" of God's will for Jesus was His g!odious resurrection from the dead, His ascension to Heaven, His being seated at the right hand of the Father, and His exaltation as the King of kings and Lord of lords forever!
       As Hannah Whitall Smith wrote, "Better and sweeter than health, or friends, is money, or fame, or ease, or prosperity, is the adorable will of our God. It gilds the darkest hours with a divine Hall, and sheds brightest sunshine on the gloomiest paths. . . it only a glorious privilege."
       Make your prayer today, "Thy will be done for you to experience!

WHEN SCRIPTURE HURTS

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than at double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,joints and marrow,it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12

Have you ever read a verse scores of times and then suddenly,on the sixty-fifth reading----zap---- the verse nails you squarely between your soul and spirit? Verses such as "Follow me"  or "Flee youthful lusts" sharply rebuke you for that lustful fantasizing you've been wallowing in lately. Any other times you would have skimmed right over those verses. But now, it hurts.
      That's what happens when the Word of God slices through that thin line between your soul and spirit. Your soul, c!ouded by emotions and excuses, is not prone to conviction. Your spirit, however bears witness with the spirit of God as His truth, painfully revealing, hits home.
      Often you may reread the verse, double--checking to make certain you heard God right, but if you are honest, the verse still pierces and stings hour conscience. You have wounded by the word of God.
      Andrew Murray has put it this way: "Jesus has no tenderness toward anything that is ultimately going to ruin a man in service to Him. If God brings to your mind a verse which hurts you, you may be sure that there is something He want to hurt."
We must not view our disobedience as a vague generality, as when we say, "God, forgive me, a sinner." What sins? Specifically, how have you disobeyed? Try ask God to wound you with His Word.
You, Lord are the judge of my thoughts and my heart. Place the sword of your Word between my soul and spirit and reveal to me today things in my life that displace You.

Love--- When it is Needed the Most

This is love not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 JOHN 4:10

A PSYCHOLOGIST WAS TAKING to a young mother and asked, "Which of your three children do you love the most?" She immediately answered, "I love all my three children in the same way." Skeptical, the psychologist began to refute what she said. "Come off it now! He said, " it is impossible four anyone to regard any three human being exactly the same." Confronted so harshly, she broke down and began to cry
     Then finding her voice she said, "Alright, I do not love all three of my children in the same way When one of my three children children is sick. I love that child more. When one of them is in pain, or list. I love that child more. And when one is really bad I love that child more." Then she concluded, "Except for those exception I love all three children about the same."
     A mother love explains how God's love and compassion ate totally focused on you when you need His help. God doesn't divide His love, or love you best when you do good things He  loves you most deeply when you stray the farthest or when your needs are the greatest.
      Seemingly the farther people had strayed from the straight and narrow, the greater was the focus of Jesus' attentions their lives. Remember when Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me,?" Listen carefully, and you'll hear that voice asking the same question. He's listening for your answer if you love Him, follow Him.

WHY JESUS CALLED MEN

Jesus follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you Fishers of men."
MATTHEW 4:19

AS THE MORNING LIGHT pierced the eastern sky over the village of Bethsaida, two brother, Peter and Andrew, arose, ate breakfast, and headed for their boats. Little did they know that the events of that day would change the direction of their lives.
      They had no sooner thrown their net into the water when a stranger dressed in a seamless Galilean robe walked by. He saw them and said, "Follow Me!" It was both an invitation and a command.
      When Jesus called them, there was an immediate connection, and they walked away from their nets to follow Him. Later that morning Jesus recruited James and John, another set of brother the same village.
     But what was it that was so compelling about His invitation? Was it the tone of His voice or the look in His eyes? Was it Has personality? Or was there something, perhaps feel in their hearts, that made them ponder the possibility by had this was the Messiah who would throw off the tyranny of Rome?
     In the months that followed, Jesus recruited another eight men to be part of that executive committee, the inner circle of ordinary men following an extraordinary person. We call these men apostles.
     The invitation of Jesus to the apostles continues to echo through the corridors of time. He still summons men to fo!!ow Him today. Why follow Him today. Why follow Him? Simple! When you follow Him, you get to know Him, and when you know Him, and when you know Him, you will love Him, you obey Him. As a result, you will be prompted to lead your family and Love your wife as He moved the church. As you grow in your love for God, ask¡ Him to enable you to love others as He did.

A Significant Impact

we do not  wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the ruler of the darkness of this age.
Ephesians 6:12

John Wesley  was convince that  the prayers of God people rather than his preaching accounted for the thousands who came to Christ through his ministry. That's why he said, "God will do nothing except in answer to prayer." An overstatement? Yes. But the fact is that our praying is a powerful weapon in the war between God and Satan.
      In today's Scripture reading. Daniel  was so disturbed by a revelation about Israel's future that he could do nothing except fast and pray. Three weeks later a heavenly messenger appeared, saying that God had sent him when Daniel prayed, but that the prince of Persia had detained him (10:13). This "prince" was an evil spirit who sought to influence the rulers of Persia to oppose God's plan. He had detained God's messenger, until the archangel Michael came to his aid.
      A cosmic conflict between Good and evil is continually being fought in the invisible spirit world. Paul reminded us that it involves christian (believer). He listed the spiritual armor and weaponry we need for these battled (Ephesuans 6: 13-17), and then he added "praying always" (v. 18).
       Our prayer can have a significant impact on the outcome of those spiritual battles. May we, therefore faithfully prayed as we fight good fight (1 Timothy 1:18).