Feast or Famine...You Choose

Verse of the day: John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

Have you ever been so hungry, and so thirsty, that you would eat, and drink, the first thing you get your hands on? That starving feeling that makes you drop whatever you are doing, just to get something to eat? Well, that same overwheling desire for physical food that makes it priority over everthing else at that moment should be the desire we have for Jesus, and His Word. In this chapter of John, we are told how Jesus fed more than five thousand people, with plenty left over. Amazingly, and miraculously, He did this with five loaves & two fish. The people then follow Him, and desired the bread He provided, but Jesus exposes the selfishness of their hearts, because He knew that their motivation was to receive physical bread; which He later explained would not save them from death, as happened with their ancestors, in the wilderness, when God provided manna for them. Jesus, the Bread of Life (Bread from Heaven), offers us more than just physical bread. He offers us the Bread that gives us eternal life, so that we will never die, but live on in eternity, with Him. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, and Lord, we receive complete satisfaction. Our craving for the things of this world, if we truly submit to Jesus, will dissipate, and become unsatisfying. What we hunger, and thirst, for will be the things of God. We will thirst His Word, hunger for fellowship with Him; and our desire for both will be satisfied every single time. However, just like when we are hungry or thirsty, and choose what we will eat or drink, we must be willing to choose His Word over sitting in front of the television or wasting too much time surfing the internet. We must choose fellowship, in prayer with Him, over hanging out with company that corrupts our lives or entertaining sins that hinder our relationship with Him. The bottom line is that, just as the loaves amd fish were enough to feed the multitude (with plenty left over), so today, Jesus is enough for anyone who will believe, and put their faith, and trust, in Him. For those of us who are already born again believing children of God, Jesus is enough to satisfy any true, godly, desire. Fellowship with Him, in prayer, and time spent in His Word, will satisfy any hunger or thirst we may have spiritually. We have an abundance of what the world can never give us, and no man on earth can provide...joy, peace, happiness, and eternity with God (all else is "frosting on the cake"). Praise God for Jesus, our Bread of Life, who satisfies our every need, both spiritually, and physically, simply because He is God, and loves us.

The Ultimate Word

Verse of the day: Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

The Book of John tells us that Jesus, the Word, became flesh, and dwelt among us. God incarnate, here with us. What an incredible thought! Prior to Jesus coming to us, God communicated His existence in various ways. His creation, nature, speaks of His existence. Our conscience is proof of His existence, for even an unsaved person knows, and feels guilt, when they do something they perceive to be wrong. Then God spoke to man through the prophets, further solidifying His existence. Finally, and ultimately, He sent His Son, our Savior, our Lord, the Word. The Word, because He is the Ultimate Communication from God by which we can truly know who God is. Jesus told us that to see Him is to see the Father. To study who Jesus is, how He lived, how He responded to, and dealt with people, tells us so much of who God is, and about His nature. He is the only One who has ever seen God. Therefore, He, the Word, is the only One who is supremely qualified to communicate to us in respect to our Heavenly Father. He is the Glory of God, and it is He whom we fall short of (no one else). Romans tell us that we fall short of the glory of God (Jesus). He is superior to all (even angels), is Creator, has conquered death and the grave, and now sits at the right hand of the Father. Yes, this is our God, our Savior, the Word of God, Jesus Christ. The bottom line is that if we desire to know more about who our God is, as His children, then we must spend more time with the Word, and in His Word.

Childlike Faith

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

The faith of a child. The days before they begin, or began, to question everything, "Why? Why? Why?" Many of us remember those days fondly. The times when whatever dad or mom said was gospel, and God forbid anyone should disagree, or say that what dad or mom told them was wrong or false. That is the kind of faith God desires from His children. The kind of faith that says, "God says it, and therefore it is true." That does not mean that we are not to study God's Word; for this is the way we get to know Him, and His will for our lives. It guides our way. Childlike faith helps us to believe the truths God has recorded for us in His Word for what they are...the truth. Childlike faith allows us to trust Him completely with our lives (as it should be). Unlike us, who often fail our children, God NEVER fails us. So today, trust Him with whatever truth you learn from His Word (yes, that means you should read your Bible today, and every day). Obey Him, and stay on the path He guides you on; for our God is the only Father who is truly faithful, and will never steer us in the wrong direction.

Suddenly and Unexpected!

Verse of the day: II Peter 3:10-11 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

Can any one of us predict when a thief is going to break into our home? Not usually. Generally, people are caught by surprise, and pretty shaken at the thought that someone has violated their safe space called home. The same way we cannot predict the coming of an earthly thief (although we can put things in placed to be warned if one shows up), is the same way we cannot predict our Lord's return (even Jesus Himself said it). However, we know with all certainty that He is coming back, and we know that it will be sudden. Knowing this, are we ready to receive Him? What will we be caught doing at His reappearing. The Scriptures warn us that in these last days we will be mocked for our faith. Many will turn to teachers who will tickle their ears with messages lacking warnings in respect to the real consequences of sin, and hell will be rarely mentioned, even dismissed. People will laugh at our belief that Jesus is coming back, but remember, the people in Noah's day did not believe Him, even though he preached to them for 100 years, and all perished, except Noah's family. God's desire is that none would perish, and for that reason He delays His return. However, His return is certain, as His timing is not our, a single days is like a thousand years, and vice versa. His return will bring destruction, and judgement, for the unsaved; hence, why it is of utmost importance that we share the Gospel with everyone we meet. The Apostle Peter warns us that we should be vigilant, and people of holy conduct, living in godliness, at peace, avoiding the lawless behavior, and sinful pleasures, of this world, knowing that Jesus can show up at any moment. What would we like to be caught doing when He comes back? Would you prefer to be caught in the midst of living in sin, practicing whatever your pet sin is, or would you rather be found serving Him, ministering to others, and doing good for His glory? As a child of God, I'd prefer the latter.

Generosity In All Things

Psalm 112:5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.

Every day should be an opportunity for us to do good to others. As God's children, we represent Jesus, and therefore must do so in a way that honors Him. The Lord did not come and just tell the people about eternal life; He also fed them, healed them, and met their physical needs when necessary. We should be no different. The Bible tells us that if we know of a need, but do nothing, having the means to do so, we lack faith. We must do for others, taking care of their needs, knowing that God is taking care of us. We are to be the vessels that carry God's blessings to others. In many of those instances, we will have opportunities to tell others about Jesus, eternal life, and the Lord's goodness. We, as Christians, should stand out for the way we give, and manage both our personal, and business affairs. Our good works are to shine before men, so that our Father in Heaven will be glorified; keeping in mind that God sees the heart, and there are times He wants our giving to be done privately so that only He sees it. Nonetheless, there will be times when it cannot be avoided. When that is so, remember that what we do for others is about bringing glory to God, and not ourselves. For all that we have to give, came from Him, and belongs to Him. He is good enough to allow us to be stewards of what He blesses us with. Praise be to the Lord for His goodness.

Is Suffering Necessary?

Verse of the day: II Corinthians 11:30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.

Is suffering really necessary? Most of us would prefer to answer, "No." The truth of the matter is that, in Christianity, it is necessary. The Apostle Paul, here, for a moment, is forced to boast, in this chapter, to make a point. However, he chooses to boast in respect to all that he has suffered in his service to our Lord. He could have bragged about his credentials as an apostle. His background as a pharisee, and being of the Tribe of Benjamin gave him some bragging rights among the Jews. Instead, he chose to talk about his trials, and sufferings, as a slave of Jesus Christ. Why? Well, I have to say that the strongest servants of Christ that I have ever met are ones whom God has allowed to suffer much. The Apostle was not a great speaker (by his own admission). He was not pleasant to look upon, as he had an ailment that affected his eyes, and appearance. He was not of great stature. Yet, in all his weakness, and suffering, God used him to accomplish great things for the cause of Christ, for the spreading of the Gospel. It put him in a position where he could not boast or take credit for his accomplishments, but rather placed him where he had no alternative but to give God all the glory. In his weaknesses, God showed His strength. It is no different today. See a person who has never really suffered, and often you will see someone who is spoiled, and unsympathetic to the needs, and hurts, of others. They cannot relate to the suffering of others. When we suffer pain, trials, tribulation, and difficulties, it teaches us how to endure. It teaches us how to trust God more and more. It teaches us compassion, and helps us relate to those that are hurting around us, and drives us to share with them our Comfort, our Peace, Jesus Christ. Even our Savior was tempted as we are, in all points (and never sinned), and suffered as we do (loss of family, betrayal, physical pain, mental anguish, etc.), and is our Greatest Advocate. He set the example of how to endure, and respond to suffering. Ultimately, it teaches us how to be thankful, and how to praise God for being God (at all times), and not reserve thanksgiving and praise for times when circumstances are favorable, and going our way. Suffering is necessary to enrich our faith. It will help us point the glory of accomplishments where it belongs...on God, and Him alone. We must endure whatever the Lord allows, as soldiers in God's army. In the end our badges of honor will not be how many degrees we hold, how many titles we have or what our status is in society or among other Christians. Our badges will be the scars we have gained. The people we have suffered for, cried with, cried for, and sacrificed for, even to the danger of losing our own lives; all done for God's glory, in His service, and for the sake of the Gospel. So, I ask again, "Is suffering necessary for us, as God's children?" Yes. Yes, it most certainly is. All for the glory of the One who suffered, bled, and died for us.

What Are You Waiting For?

Psalm 119:60 I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments.

Not sure about you, but here's one that challenges me. The immediate obedience in doing what I know I should do, as the Lord commands in His Word. The Bible is clear that God prefers obedience over sacrifice. However, we often try to find a substitute to obeying God. My favorite (sarcasm), and one I hear quite often, is, "Let me pray about it." Now, don't get me wrong. Praying is a good thing. As a matter of fact, as Christians, it's one of the things we ought to do faithfully, without ceasing. However, when God tells us, "Thou shalt not" or "Thou shalt" or we read, "This is the will of God"; then what is there to pray about? When a command is clear in Scripture, the only response we should have is immediate obedience. Many of us respond quickly to our boss' command to do something, yet hesitate, and make excuses, in order to get around God's commands. The level of intimacy we share with the Lord is severely hindered when we choose disobedience. Funny thing about us is that we immediately want to obey, in many instances, only after we have chosen our own way, and now experience a negative consequence as a result of trying to avoid God's direction. Oh, and lest we forget, or neglect to mention this one thing; failure to obey God's commands clearly says that we do not trust Him. If we say we have faith in God, and His ways, yet fail to obey His commands, we are fooling ourselves, and are clearly telling Him that we do not trust Him, or His Word. So, today, let us not put off what He commands us to do. If we have been avoiding something we know we should be doing, because He has already told us what we need to do, the only answer is, "Just do it." The reward for obedience is greater than any of us realize, both here, and when we get there and stand before Him. It's never too late to start obeying Him (as long as we are still here, alive and breathing).