Feeding Frenzy

I am the bread of life, Jesus told them.  No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again - John 6:35

So Thanksgiving is come and gone again.  Just like Christmas, it always seems to come faster and faster every year.  I always look forward to this time a year because for whatever reason I feel more relaxed and content with life.  Maybe it's because I eat more and am forced to sit back and relax and let all of the food digest or just maybe it's because I'm reminded of what life is truly about.

As I sit this morning and ponder on John 6:35, I think about all of the food that we just ate for Thanksgiving.  Jesus referred to himself as the "bread of life."  For many people in our society clinging to the "low-carb" diet, bread is like the plague, but in reality, bread is the staple food of the world's diet.  Because bread is a carbohydrate, when we eat it the body uses it to produce energy.  Similarly, Jesus is simply telling us that when we feed on Him, He produces life in our heart and soul.

So the question you need to answer this morning is:  Are you on a spiritual "low-carb" diet, or are you feasting on the very thing that would energize your soul?

Bible in a Year
Ezekiel 37-39
2 Peter 3

A God-Made Man

By humility and fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life - Proverbs 22:4

We have heard the phrase on countless occasions:  "He's a self-made man."  In truth, none of us are self-made.  We all owe countless debts that we can never repay.  Our first debt, of course, is to our Father in heaven - Who has given us everything that we are and will ever be - and to His Son Who sacrificed His own life so that we might live eternally.  We are also indebted to ancestors, parents, teachers, friends, spouses, family members, coworkers, fellow believers...and the list, of course, goes on.

Most of us, it seems, are more than willing to stick out our chests and say, "Look at me; I did that!"  But in our better moments, in the quiet moments when we search the depths of our own hearts, we know better.  Whatever "it" is, God did that.  And He deserves the credit.

God favors the humble just as surely as He disciplines the proud.

Bible in a Year
Ezekiel 34-36
2 Peter 2

Faith or Fear

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.  For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. - James 1:2-5 NLT

In the Chinese picture-letter alphabet, the symbol for crisis is a combination of two characters - one meaning "danger" and the other "opportunity".  You can look at it either way.

The same can be said of trials in the Christian life.  A crisis that appears to one Christian as a calamity may be viewed by another as an opportunity.  You can see your problems as purposeful and joyful if you see them from God's perspective.  Tested faith produces perseverance (James 1:3), maturity (James 1:4), and God's rich reward (James 1:12).

If God intends your problems as opportunities for you to grow rather than dangers for you to fear, how can you cooperate with Him to make the most of these faith-stretching trials?  Remember, more can be learned from life's trials than from its triumphs.

A Wing and a Prayer

Be cheerful.  Keep things in good repair.  Keep your spirits up.  Think in harmony.  Be agreeable.  Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure - 2 Cor 13:11 MSG

Mrs Charles E Cowman, the author of the classic devotional text Streams in the Desert, wrote, "Two wings are necessary to lift our souls toward God:  prayer and praise.  Prayer asks.  Praise accepts the answer."  That's why we should find the time to lift our concerns to God in prayer, and to praise Him for all that He has done.

John Wesley correctly observed, "Sour godliness is the devil's religion."  These words remind us that pessimism and doubt are some of the most important tools that Satan uses to achieve his objectives.  Our challenge, of course, is to ensure that Satan cannot use these tools on us.

Are you a cheerful Christian?  You should be!  And what is the best way to attain the joy that is rightfully yours?  Be giving Christ what is rightfully His:  your heart, your soul, and your life.

Bible in a Year
Ezekiel 28-30
1 Peter 5

A Foundation of Honesty

Lasting relationships are built upon a foundation of honesty and trust.  It has been said on many occasions that honesty is the best policy.  For believers, it is far more important to note that honesty is God's policy.  And if we are to be servants worthy of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we must be honest and forthright in all our communications with others.

Sometimes, honesty is difficult; sometimes, honesty is painful; sometimes, honesty makes us feel uncomfortable.  Despite these temporary feeling of discomfort, we must make honesty the hallmark of all our relationships; otherwise, we invite needless suffering into our own lives and into the lives of those we love.

One of your greatest possessions is integrity...don't lose it.  Billy Graham was right when he said:  "Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together.  We must constantly strive to keep our integrity intact.  When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost".

Bible in a Year
Ezekiel 25-27
1 Peter 4

An Attitude of Gratitude

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts...and be ye thankful.  Colossians 3:15 KJV

For most of us, life is busy and complicated.  We have countless responsibilities, some of which begin before sunrise and many of which end long after sunset.  Amid the rush and crush of the daily grind, it is easy to lose sight of God and His blessings.  But, when we forget to slow down and say "Thank You" to our Maker, we rob ourselves of His presence, His peace, and His joy.

Our task, as believing Christians, is to praise God many time each day.  Then, with gratitude in our hearts, we can face our daily duties with the perspective and power that only He can provide.

Nobody who gets enough food and clothing in a world where most are hungry and cold has any business to talk about "misery." - CS Lewis

Developing an attitude of gratitude is key to a joyful and satisfying life.  So ask yourself this question:  "Am I grateful enough?"

Bible in a Year
Ezekiel 21-22
1 Peter 2

A Man of Prayer

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Is prayer an integral part of your daily life, or is it a hit-or-miss habit?  Do you "pray without ceasing," or is your prayer life an afterthought?  Do you regularly pray in the solitude of the early morning darkness, or do you lower your head only when others are watching?  The answer to these questions will determine the direction of your day - and your life.

So here's your challenge:  make yourself a man of prayer.  Begin your prayers early in the morning and continue them throughout the day.  And remember this:  God does answer prayers, but He's not likely to answer those prayers until you've prayed them.

Prayer is the most important tool for your mission to the world.  People may refuse our love or reject our message, but they are defenseless against our prayers - Rick Warren

Bible in Year
Ezekiel 19-20
1 Peter 1

Feeding the Church

The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church.  The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. - Ephesians 1:23

One way that we come to know God is by involving ourselves in His church.  In the Book of Acts, Luke reminds us to "feed the church of God" (20:28).  As Christians who have been saved by a loving, compassionate Creator, we are compelled not only to worship Him in our hearts but also to worship Him in the presence of fellow believers.

Do you feed the church of God?  Do you attend regularly, and are you an active participant?  The answer to these questions will have a profound impact on the quality and direction of your spiritual journey.

So do yourself a favor:  become actively involved in your church.  Don't just go to church out of habit.  Go to church our of a sincere desire to know and worship God.  When you do, you'll be blessed by the One who sent His Son to die so that you might have everlasting life.

When I read the devotional above I can't help but think when we feed God's church, we end up feeding our deepest desires and longings in life.  This is why we are commanded to "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)

What do you seek?

If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask him, and he will gladly tell you.  He will not resent your asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  They can't make up their minds.  They waver back and forth in everything they do.

James 1:5-8  NLT

Our Children, Our Hope

Let the little children come to Me; don't stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these - Mark 10:14

Every child is different, but every child is similar in this respect:  he or she is a priceless gift from the Father above.  And, with the Father's gift comes immense responsibilities.

Our children are our nation's most precious resource.  And, as responsible parents, we must create homes in which the future generation can grow and flourish.

Today, let us pray for our children...all of them.  Let us pray for children here at home and for children around the world.  Every child is God's child.  May we, as concerned adults, behave - and pray - accordingly.

Our children are not really our possessions; our youngsters are, in truth, God's children.  They belong to Him, and He entrusts them to our care for a little while.  And then, we must let them go.

Bible in a Year
Ezekiel 11-13
James 3

The Race for a Championship

I just wanted to share with you a little situation I'll be experiencing this weekend.  We've raced all year and we find ourselves, after 35 races, only leading by 15 points over Jimmy Johnson and 49 points over Kevin Harvick.  For those of you who aren't race fans, that's like three spots with Jimmy Johnson and maybe eight or nine with Kevin Harvick.  We've raced all season and it's that close.  It's the closest The Chase has been since it was started.  So, think about my situation in this.  Maybe some of you out there are going through a situation similar to this.  I want this so bad that it hurts!  What does this championship really mean for us?  It means to honor our sponsors, FedEx, with a victory.  It means so much to the JGR family.  There are over 430 employees here and it would mean so much to all of us.  It would mean money for the winner.  So, this is where I find myself.  What do you guys do when you find yourself in a situation like this?  For me, I lay in bed at night consumed with how much I want this. 

This afternoon I started thinking about what the proper perspective is on this.  I find myself truly wanting what God wants in this situation.  And one thing I need to be careful of is how God warns us not to have idols.  Idols are anything we would put in place of him.  Anything that we would worship more than God.  An idol is anything you can't live without and be happy.  What happens if we lose this race?  Is this something that I can't live without?  Will I be unhappy?  God gives us the right perspective on a situation like this. 

As I was reading this afternoon in a devotional, here's what I was struck by.  In Exodus 20:5, it says, "You must not bow down to them or worship them.  For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God and will not tolerate your affections for other Gods."  As you can see, we are tempted to put other things, above the Lord, as our top priority in life.  Do we put money there?  Do we put winning races there?  Do we put football there?  Do we put being president of the company there?  Hopefully not.

Here's our prayer this weekend : I pray that we'll have the grace to handle whatever happens.  If it should go the wrong way for us and we don't win this title, hopefully I'll be able to say, "I don't understand it God--it hurts--but I know you're a good God and you're loving.  You sent your only Son to this earth to die on a cross for me and my sins."  A loving God like that should allow us the confidence to know that even when something doesn't go my way that in the end, it will all work out.  He wants what is best for me. 

There are two things I want to close with.  When we don't get what we want, God is really saying two things to us:

1)  Wait, it's not the right time

2)  I have something better in store for you

This is something I've been dealing with lately.  Do I have the right perspective on this?  Is there anything in my life that I would make an idol and worship above God? 

So, God, give me the right perspective.  And give me grace if it doesn't go the way I want it to go.

Joe Gibbs

http://gameplanforlife.com/Zoo/The-Right-Perspective-on-the-Race-For-a-Championship.html

New Beginnings

Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing. - Isaiah 43:18-19

Each new day offers countless opportunities to server God, to seek His will, and to obey His teachings.  But each day also offers countless opportunities to stray from God's commandments and to wander far from His path.

Sometimes we wander aimlessly in a wilderness of our own making, but God has better plans for us.  And, whenever we ask Him to renew our strength and guide our steps, He does so.

Consider this day a new beginning.  Consider it a fresh start, a renewed opportunity to serve your Creator with willing hands and a loving heart.  Ask God to renew your sense of purpose as He guides your steps.  Today is a glorious opportunity to serve your Father in heaven.  Seize that opportunity while you can;  tomorrow may indeed be too late.

Bible in a Year
Ezekiel 6-7
James 1

As Long as We both Shall Live

Dr Gary Smalley said in his book, As Long as We both Shall Live: Experiencing the Marriage You've Always Wanted.
 
You have the freedom and responsibility to change yourself, but you have neither the freedom nor the responsibility to change another person, not even your mate.  If you fail to grasp the principle and try to hold yourself responsible for changing your spouse, you will inevitably fail.  Your failure may lead to anger, despair, hopelessness or even guilt.  When you experience the urge to blame, remember King Solomon's wise words: "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered" (Prov. 17.27).

Perhaps the worst thing about attempting to change your mate is that those attempts create an unsafe place for your marriage to thrive.  And in time, your mate will erect walls to ward off your continued push toward change.  Trying to change your mate can only make your marriage worse and increase its chance of failure.

Ultimately, you only have the freedom and responsibility to change yourself and how you react.

Thanks John H for sharing this with us. 

Living in an Anxious World

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you - 1 Peter 5:7

We live in a world that often breeds anxiety and fear.  When we come face-to-face with tough times, we may fall prey to discouragement, doubt, or depression.  But our Father in heaven has other plans.  God has promised that we may lead lives of abundance, not anxiety.  In fact, His Word instructs us to "be anxious for nothing" (Phil 4:6).  But how can we put our fears to rest?  By taking those fears to God and leaving them there.

As you face the challenges of daily life, you may find yourself becoming anxious, troubled, discouraged, or fearful.  If so, turn every one of your concerns over to your Heavenly Father.  The same God who created the universe will comfort you if you ask Him...so ask Him and trust Him.  And then watch in amazement as your anxieties melt into the warmth of His loving hands.

You have worries, but God has solutions.  Your challenge is to trust Him to solve the problems that you can't.

Bible in a Year
Ezekiel 3-5
Hebrews 13

He does not change

Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Our world is in a state of constant change. God is not. At times, the world seems to be trembling beneath our feet. But we can be comforted in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father is the rock that cannot be shaken. His Word promises, "I am the Lord, I do not change." Malachi 3:6

Every day that we live, we mortals encounter a multitude of changes - some good, some not so good, some downright disheartening. On those occasions when we must endure life-changing personal losses that leave us breathless, there is a place we can turn for comfort and assurance - we can turn to God. When we do, our loving Heavenly Father stands ready to protect us, to comfort us, to guide us, and, in time, to heal us.

** There is a seed of God's love in every event, every circumstance, every unpleasant situation in which you may find yourself.

What fills you?

John 6:26 - You seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.
Seventeenth-century Quaker leader Isaac Pennington said, “The Lord has been teaching me to live upon Himself—not from anything received from Him, but upon the life itself.” The people in John 6 wanted to live off Jesus, but not for the same reason. It was not because their hearts were loyal to Him, but because their hearts were loyal to what they thought He could provide for them—namely, food and deliverance from Roman oppression.
Jesus’ provision of the loaves and fish was a confirmation in their minds of what He could do for them. Jesus knew that behind their interest in Him was their hope that He would become a different kind of king, so He withdrew from them (John 6:14-15). The next day they looked for Him and found Him, making their quest successful (vv.22,25-26). So they continued to follow Him because of what they thought He could provide. But Jesus turned the tables and identified Himself as the Bread of Life (vv.32-33). They wanted a better life from Him, but He told them He came to offer them eternal life (v.40). Only those who believe in Jesus can find true fulfillment—now and forever.
Follow Jesus, not just because He can provide “the loaves,” but because He can satisfy your deepest hunger—the quest for eternal fellowship with Him.

Understanding God's Plan

Isaiah 43:18-19

18 “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. 19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

The American theologian Rienhold Niebuhr composed a profoundly simple verse that came to be known as the Serenity Prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Neibuhr's words are far easier to recite than they are to live by. Why? Because most of us want life to unfold in accordance with our own wishes and timetables. But sometimes God has other plans.

If you've encountered unfortunate circumstances that are beyond your power to control, accept those circumstances...and trust God. When you do, you can be comforted in the knowledge that your Creator is both loving and wise, and that He understands His plans perfectly, even when you do not.