The Daily Dose

Give Glory to God

He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. John 7:18

Here is the way to always recognize the heart of any speaker, teacher or preacher.  Who are they seeking to glorify.  If you are listening to someone who talks about their own great accomplishments or why they are the person that you should believe and listen to, you can be pretty sure they are in it for their own glory.  If you are learning from someone who is talking about another person’s teachings or philosophies, they are probably singing the praises of that flawed person.  Ideally, we will be listening to and even learning from teachers like Jesus. Those who only want the attention to be on the goodness and love of God and His great plan.

Jesus had a ministry like that.  He only spoke what He heard from His Father and all of His teachings pointed to the One who had sent Him into the world.  He taught success principles and told stories about the way God created things to work.  He told people about the plan God had to send His Son into the world to pay the price and penalty for people who could never reach Him on their own.  He did signs and miracles and gave all the glory and recognition to God in heaven never claiming the praises for Himself.  Even when dying on the cross, He prayed for the people who were executing Him to be forgiven because they didn’t know what they were doing.

In today’s reading, Jesus did end up going to the feast, but He went in secret at first.  After a couple days, He went in to do some teaching.  He told the people that what He was teaching was not something He made up, but it came directly from the Father in heaven.  Then He told them they could believe Him because He wasn’t seeking to glorify Himself.   It is a good rule to follow when you are not sure who to believe or whom you should follow.  You are always safe to stick with God the Father.  He will never steer you wrong.

Today I want to encourage you to not seek your own glory.  When talking to others, don’t let the focus of your conversations be about your accomplishments and what you are doing.  Instead, talk about how great the Lord has been in your life.  What He has done and what He is doing in your world today.  If anything let people know that you have missed it but God has given you a life worth living despite your short comings.  Next, use this as a guide when following or learning from others. If their message is all about how great they are and what they have accomplished, guard your heart.  Make sure God is the One getting the glory and who gets the attention.  Our doctrine is not of ourselves and we are not to speak on our own authority.  Our message is about the One who came and saved us from the unrighteous state we were in.

Today’s scripture reading: John 7:10-24

10 But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 

11 Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?” 

12 And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.” 

13 However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

14 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. 

15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”

16 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 

17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. 

18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. 

19 Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”

20 The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”

21 Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel. 

22 Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 

23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? 

24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

You don’t have to convince them

For even His brothers did not believe in Him. John 7:5

            Have you ever had someone not believe what you say?  Maybe a family member or friend?  A time when you had something important to say, but you just couldn’t get that person to understand or even listen.  There are many reasons why it can happen like, it’s just too good to be true or it is beyond realistic.  This can happen when you are trying to tell others about the love of God.  Some people think they have been too bad for God to love them or that God is too far away and not interested in them.  No matter how hard you try or what you say, they just don’t want to hear it.

            This often happened to Jesus.  Even though He was sinless, there were still people who didn’t believe His message and even though He did great signs and miracles, even His family doubted Him for a long time.  In today’s reading, Jesus’ family tried to get Him to go to Judea for the Feast of Tabernacles.  Jesus knew that the Jewish people there wanted to kill Him, so He knew it was not the right timing for Him to go.  His brothers tried to convince Him, but Jesus simply said: “My time has not yet come.”  The passage goes on to say that His brothers did not believe in Him.  Jesus knew what was in their hearts, but He didn’t try to convince them of Who He was.  He knew that the work of their heart was God’s work, and it was not His job to make people to believe.  He only did the will of His Father Who sent Him.

            We can learn from Jesus in this area.  It seems like when someone questions what we believe or something we have said about the good news of Jesus, we feel the need to convince others that we are right or that we know what we are talking about.  However, that is not our job, that is the work of the Holy Spirit drawing others to God’s love.  Our job is to share the message in love, answers legitimate questions and let it grow on the inside of a person. We can read later on that Jesus’ brothers did finally believe and followed Him, even to the death. Therefore, we can trust that God will bring our loved ones in at just the right time.

            Today I want to encourage you to share the message of the gospel with others, but in a loving and caring way.  If some do not believe or even ridicule, don’t argue or get angry, just let the Holy Spirit do the work in their heart.  You have planted a seed of God’s goodness and love in their heart, and the Holy Spirit will come along after and give a continuing watering.  Keep them in prayer and show up for them in love when they need a hand, but if they don’t believe, it is not for you to make them.  God will bring someone else along to help them understand and His timing will be perfect.

Today’s scripture reading: John 7:1-9

1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. 

2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 

3 His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 

4 For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 

5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

6 Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. 

7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. 

8 You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.” 

9 When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.

Pray again

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.  Romans 1:8

Can you imagine this?  The faith of the church in Rome was talked about all over the world.  Well, at least the known world at that time.  Not surprisingly, Rome is thought of today as a great church throughout many countries in the world.  Rome had become so full of Christians, that they were famous all over the earth.  Not just in name, but in faith.  They were full of faith people and it was talked about everywhere.  Paul was not with them at this time but was eager to return to encourage them and impart spiritual giftings.  Yet, the passage says that Paul prayed for them.  Even though they had world famous faith, he still talked to God about them continually.

Not long ago, America was known as a Christian nation.  It still is on some level, but mostly in name only.  Not because of big faith, though many people here still have it.  What happened and where did we lose our interest in having world famous faith?  Could it be because we are not praying for our land like we, as Christians once did?  Could it be that we have gotten distracted with things and media?  Too busy to fast and pray like Christians did so many years ago.

What is the solution?  We can start again.  We can begin to turn away from the world’s news and back to God’s good news.  We can pray for the body of Christ to be full of faith once more.  We can turn off the media and distractions of world entertainment and fall in love with our Heavenly Father and loving Savior, Jesus all over again.  Let’s become known as a Christian nation again today to the world around us.  It’s not about politics, it’s about Jesus and He is greater than anything in the world!

Today I want to encourage you to take a step back from the things of the world.  I’m not talking about your job or people you love; I’m talking about taking time away from “pastime habits” and making it a priority to pray for America.  Not for the political parties, start praying for the believers.  Start with yourself.  Ask the Holy Spirit to show you anywhere in your life you may be missing it with distractions from what is important, then be willing to act if He reveals something to you.  Next, start praying for your family members.  Don’t tell them what they are doing wrong, pray for them and believe that God’s plan and purpose for them will be accomplished.  Then start praying for those in your church.  If you don’t have a church, get connected in as soon as possible.  Lastly, start praying that your church will be full of faith and growing in the things of the Lord.  He is not the one who is distracted with the things of the world, He is waiting on us to get in line with His plans and put our personal agenda to the side.

Today’s scripture reading: Romans 1:8-15

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,

10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—

12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.

14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.

15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

Wrapped in flesh

Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.  Romans 1:3&4

God started talking about the good news way before Jesus was ever born.  He started talking about it to the first people He put on the earth.  Then He continued down through the ages to the prophets.  One day, at just the right time, He wrapped that good news up in flesh.  A human body!  On the day Jesus paid the debt for sin, that gift of eternal life, the good news, was opened up!  Now it is available to all people.

Just to prove that statement is true, this book of Romans, was written to the Christians at Rome.  They were of course roman people.  They were not Jewish, nor were they children of Israel.  They were citizens of the nation that ruled over the people of God. Not only ruled over but dominated and oppressed them.  God gave His gift of salvation wrapped up in body to be poured out, not for just His chosen nation, that gift was opened up for the sin of the world.  He paid the price of a debt that no natural man could settle for himself.  God wrapped Himself up and became the gospel in Jesus our Lord!

After He paid off that debt, He got back up out of the grave and now He lives forever wrapped in that flesh as a man ruling and reigning in His Father’s kingdom.  He is now the King of kings and the Lord of lords!

Bring this down to you and me today.  When I think of this on a personal level, wow!  This great gift is what life is all about.  There is nothing else that matters.  It is so easy to see when your eyes are on it.  The problem is that so many times we get distracted and this great gift that once was so precious to us can become out of focus and even forgotten about.  The solution?  Keep your relationship with your Savior part of your daily walk, in fact, give the first of your day and all that you have to Him.  He gave His all for you, He certainly deserves your first and best in return.

Today I want to encourage you to make the decision to seek His Kingdom first and your right relationship with Him.  If have already committed to doing this, then examine your heart closely to be sure you are holding nothing back.  Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any area you may be keeping Him out of.  If He reveals anything to you, don’t make excuses, quickly ask Him for His empowerment and the faith you need to turn that area over to Him.  If you have never received the gift of salvation, make that decision today.  It is only a simple prayer away.  Ask Jesus to come into your heart and into your life and He will change you from the inside out and your life will never be the same again:

Pray:  _{God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive me for my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father. I also ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen}

Today’ scripture reading:  Romans 1:1-7

1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 

2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 

3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 

4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 

5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 

6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Faith holds on

Therefore, many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”  John 6:60

Here is another lesson in faith.  After Jesus finished His flesh and blood message, many people were offended, and many stopped following Him that day.  His words didn’t make sense to the crowd and so most people pretty much determined that day that they wouldn’t follow Jesus anymore.

Jesus turned to the people and asked them if they were offended.  He told them that it was the Spirit of God that gives life and that His words were spirit and life, but He knew that some there did not believe His words, they were following Him because they wanted to see a sign or they just wanted to be with the crowd.  They did not understand His message of faith that day.

After they left, the twelve apostles were still with Him.  Then He asked them: “Do you want to leave also?”  They responded with: “Where would we go; you have the words of eternal life and we believe that you are the Christ.”  The apostles had followed Jesus so closely that their faith was rooted deep in His words and in the One who sent Him.  Even though He instantly became unpopular, they were committed to staying with Him. 

This is the point in ministry where the apostle’s faith could plainly be seen.  Even though they did not understand what Jesus was saying, they still followed in faith, believing that He was the Son of God and He knew what He was doing and where He was going.  These men were determined to follow Him wherever He went, even when things were not so clear.

This is where our faith needs to be today.  We follow Him no matter what is happening around us.  When there are storms brewing and winds blowing, things can seem foggy and hard to see where we are going or what is next for our life.  By keeping our faith firmly set on Him, we will not be blown around by the tempests that we come up against.  In fact, Jeremiah 17 says that when our trust is in the LORD, we will not even see when the drought comes because we will be rooted like a tree by the water’s edge.

Today I want to encourage you to first of all, not let offenses knock you off your mission and purpose.  Keep your heart and your life firmly fixed on your hope and trust in your Savior, Jesus.  Plant the seeds of God’s word into your heart daily to increase the Spirit of God’s power in your life. His Word is the Spirit of His life inside of us.  Give God’s word the prominent place in your day and in your walk with Him.  Live your life on purpose each day and when opportunities for doubts and unbelief come up, replace them quickly with the Word that you have planted.  That way, no offense will have room to take root.  Keep close to Him today so that you faith holds on to Him every step of the way.

Today’s Scripture reading: John 6:60-71

60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”

61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 

62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 

64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 

65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 

67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”

68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 

69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 

71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

            Eat my Flesh

He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.  John 6:56

This is what my husband and I like to call the famous “Eat my flesh and Drink my blood” sermon that really put the religious leaders of Jesus day over the edge.  It is a message that offended many people because they did not understand the meaning.  Even though Jesus was being quite graphic, it feels like He is pushing back on what the Jews were complaining and murmuring about.

I personally believe that Jesus was saying this in the simplest form.  He talked about the manna that came down from heaven in the wilderness to feed the people when they were brought out of captivity in Egypt.  That manna coming down each morning from heaven was God’s provision  to save them from dying in the wilderness.  There was no food there for them to eat, so God provided it for them.  Likewise, He sent Jesus down from heaven to save us from dying in our wilderness of sin.  The explicit part about taking Him in by eating and drinking is similar to what He taught about being the living water.  He is what we need be saved from eternal separation from God and dying in sin.

Jesus came to save us from spiritual death like the manna from heaven saved the people from physical death long ago.  Jesus wanted to people there to understand that they needed to receive Him into their lives as Lord and Savior to save them just like they needed the manna in the wilderness to save their lives long ago.

We still need His flesh and blood today.  The message of Jesus coming down from heaven to save all people is still the good news each one of us needs in our life.  We must invite Him in to be the Lord and Savior and live with Him day by day just as if He were inside our heart, because He is.  The message of eat my flesh and drink my blood was not received well in Jesus’ time because people did not understand what He was saying and sometimes that still happens.  Let’s make sure that we are telling the message of Salvation to others so they can receive the provision from heaven that God sent for them too.

Today I want to encourage you to receive the bread from heaven if you have not already done so.  By simply confessing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and inviting Him into your life to guide and protect, you can become a child of God today.  Pray this prayer of salvation from your heart and Jesus will come into your life and be the bread and sustenance that you so desperately need.  Eat His flesh and drink His blood today and receive all the provision and supply that God has given you from heaven above.

Pray: _{God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen}

Today’s scripture reading: John 6:41-59

41 The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” 

42 And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

43 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. 

44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 

45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. 

46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. 

47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. 

48 I am the bread of life. 

49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 

50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 

51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”

52 The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?”

53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 

54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 

55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 

56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 

57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 

58 This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.”

59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.

Do His will

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.  John 6:38

            Jesus came to do the will of His Father in heaven.  This is just one of the times that He talked about it during His ministry.  It didn’t seem to be a struggle for Him at all, but there were times that He spent in prayer getting that plan from God.  It wasn’t something He just knew the whole time.  Sure, He knew some of it.  He knew that He came to save people from the sin of the world.  He talked many times about what was going to happen at the cross and that He would come back after three days.  But the day-to-day stuff, He mostly got day to day.  It is one of the reasons that the scripture tells us many times that Jesus want off by Himself to pray or spent nights in prayer.  He was getting the upcoming plan.  He didn’t make things up as He went and He didn’t deviate to His own ideas and agenda.  He plainly told people that the only reason He was here was to do His Father’s will.

            Now, how does that relate to us today?  I’m glad you asked!  As God’s family and the representatives of our Father here in the world today, we are no less responsible to do God’s will than Jesus was.  We are here for this time to be continuing the ministry of Jesus.  He did all the heavy lifting and conquered death and the enemy of God. He made us more than conquerors so that we could live the life of victory and follow the plan He has for today.  Yes, we know the plan is that we are to tell people the message of salvation and to lead other into the Kingdom of God, but the day to day will for our lives is something that we get as we check in with our Father and get the plan for today.

            There is a process to doing that and the biggest part is to follow the example of Jesus and get away by yourself to praise and worship Him regularly.  I’m not talking about going to God each day with a list of requests and needs, I’m talking about pressing in and asking: What is your will for my life today?  What would you have me to accomplish before the sun goes down again.  Take time to listen inside for any thing the Holy Spirit may be whispering or showing your heart.  Ask Him to make the path plain and clear and to give you a knowing of what you are assigned each day.  He isn’t trying to keep it a secret from you, but He does want to spend time with you and teach you all that is in His heart for you.  It is not a hard thing and I promise you that it will be the greatest blessing of every one of your days when you purpose to do the will of your Father who sent you.

            Today I want to encourage you to go to Him this morning for the plan.  What is the will of the Father for your life today?  What is the purpose you have been given breath?  Take some time with you loving Father this morning and ask.  If you don’t come out of that time of worship with any direction, check in during the day to receive.  You may have to go back to the last instruction that He gave that you haven’t done yet, but once you get on track, it will come easier day by day.  Determine to do your part of His plan each day and make your life count for all eternity!

Today’s scripture reading: John 6:22-40

22 On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone— 

23 however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks— 

24 when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 

25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?”

26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 

27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”

29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

30 Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? 

31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ”

32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 

33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”

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. 

36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 

37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 

39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 

40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

The Storm has a purpose

Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. John 6:18

            Have you ever noticed that every story has a “storm”?  Even if it isn’t a good story, there is still some kind of struggle or conflict.  That’s what makes it interesting.  Everyone loves to see the hero in an epic battle defeat the enemy and come out on top or face the elements of nature and overcome.  The fact is that storms are unavoidable in life in nature and in every other area and relationships.  If every day were the same with no struggle or no pressure, there would be no reason for faith, and there would really be no reason to exist.  The point is that storms have their purpose, and that purpose is to trust God to get you through and grow you through.

               In today’s reading, Jesus’ disciples got into a boat to go to the other side of the sea of Galilee.  After they had gone aways into the sea, a great wind started blowing.  The disciples had rowed for a few miles, in the wind, so there is no doubt that they were struggling and getting tired.  There is no indication that they called for help or even thought about any option beyond their own strength.  Isn’t that the way we usually start out?  Thinking we can handle the winds of life that blow, and we will figure it out and come through the storm unscathed. 

               The almost funny part about this story is that when Jesus did show up, the disciple were afraid.  They never considered that Jesus would be able to get to them in the middle of this terrible wind and storm.  That is when Jesus spoke words of comfort to them, and He told them He was there now and there was no reason to be afraid.  He took them safely to the other side and without delay.

               It was a miracle for sure, since Jesus came to them walking on the water and when He got in the boat, they were at their destination.  Those things just don’t happen without supernatural help.  They defied the laws of gravity. This storm showed the disciples that they did not have to struggle alone.  Jesus was available and ready to help.  Even though they did not call out to Him, they realized and learned that He would show up for them.  He was not going to let them fail and He was not going to let them drown.  Even though Jesus did not plan the storm and purposefully send His guys into it, He was able to use that storm to display His provision and protection for them.  The disciples realized they were not able to control the situation on their own but they were not without hope or help.

               Today I want to encourage you to trust Jesus in your storms.  Remember that He is not the one causing the crisis, but He is ready to help when called upon.  Remember His words to not be afraid and that He is just a prayer away.  Thank Him for His presence and His help and worship Hin the middle of the storm because you know He is taking you through.  This problem is a platform for God to show up, so ask yourself: Am I in the middle of a storm or am I just between two miracles.  He is with you, and you cannot experience His miracles without a storm.

Today’s scripture reading: John 6:15-21

15 Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 

17 got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. 

18 Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. 

19 So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. 

20 But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 

21 Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

Get it in His hands

^{And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. John 6:11}

Do you believe in miracles?  Do you believe that God is still doing them today?  Surly we have all heard of miraculous healings and provisions throughout history and even maybe in our lifetime, but is God still working miracles in this day and hour? In April of 2023?

I believe so!  I believe He wants to do even more, but we have developed a lifestyle of taking care of our own problems and meeting our own needs.  In the richness of our day, miracles are few and far between.  We have become self sufficient and have little need of God’s intervention.  Still times come when the Dr. just isn’t enough or the circumstances build up to where we cannot get out a predicament we have gotten into. Somehow have forgotten that God is the answer and if we would just turn things over to Him, He would turn the situations around for good instead of evil.

In today’s reading, we see the hand of God move over a crowd of people who didn’t even realize what was happening.  They came out to learn and listen to Jesus and to see if He would do some healing or miraculous things.  Little did they know, they were about to be a part of one of the greatest miracles of all time.  The breaking of 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed 5000 people.  There is no need to make this miracle any greater by saying it was probably 15000 – 20000 people.  There is no way that these 5 small loaves and 2 fish could be stretched in the natural to feed 500 people let along 5000.  Jesus received a boy’s lunch of five small loves of bread and two fish. He told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups of 50 so they could be counted. Then, when the meal was placed in His hands, He gave thanks for it and then divided it up for the disciples to distribute.  There ended up being enough in that small lunch to feed the multitudes there that day plus there were 12 baskets of leftovers.  Simply Amazing!!

How did it happen?  The disciples simply brought all they had to Jesus, then He blessed that gift and multiplied it back into the entire crowd.  This is the same way any miracle happens.  Bring it all to Jesus and He will bless it and return it back to you in abundance.  Maybe it isn’t food that you need.  Maybe you need a financial miracle to pay some insurmountable bill?  Get all you have into the hands of Jesus, and He will multiply it back to you.  Maybe you are facing an illness or physical disability?  Get it in the hands of Jesus!  Maybe you are having a family struggle?  Get it into the hands of Jesus!  Your miracle is waiting for you there.

Today I want to encourage you especially if you are in need of heavenly intervention in your life.  Take that issue, crisis, dilemma, and problem and get it into the hands of Jesus!  He will multiply a miracle back.  It may not look exactly like you imagined it would, but it will be a beautiful thing!  It may not happen in an instant but know that when you turn all your cares, concerns and resources over to Him and put them in His hands, He is working it all together for good and His answer will be plenteous!

Today’s scripture reading: John 6:1-14

1 After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 

2 Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. 

3 And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.

4 Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. 

5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” 

6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.

7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.”

8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, 

9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”

10 Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 

11 And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. 

12 So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” 

13 Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. 

14 Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

Focus on the details

“He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” Luke 24:6-7 

Today we celebrate Resurrection Sunday!  It was the day that Jesus got up from being dead and walked out of a dead man’s tomb.  Throughout this previous week we all have probably thought about Jesus and His death, burial and resurrection many times.  We have all probably had different thoughts about the details of the things Jesus went through leading up to His death.  Some may have focused on the beating He took, others may have thought about the crowd jeering and mocking Him.  You may have thought about Jesus carrying His own cross to be nailed to.  There may have been thoughts of His suffering as He hung on the cross.  Probably some were reminded of the words He spoke on the cross, then the tomb and the three days He spent lying there lifeless.  My point is that this is the one week each year that we really take time to focus on all the details of what Jesus actually did to save us from an eternity of separation from God and without Him we would spend our eternal life suffering in hell.  

However, what details will you be focused on tomorrow?  Will you immediately shift your attention back to the world and the current crisis we are in?  Will you scan the headlines to see what the greatest threat is for this week?  Will you learn every detail and possible outcome to discuss in every conversation you have?  Why does our focus have to change?  Why do we have to turn our attention away from the price Jesus paid to free us from the current world circumstances?  Why don’t we instead keep our attention on the details of heaven?  Can we keep our focus on the details of our God and the details of our Savior, Jesus?

Think about this:  What if you spent as much time studying and getting to know your Heavenly Father as you spend watching the news or learning about current events this week?  What if you focused on the details of heaven and the joy that is waiting for you there?  Why not learn, down to the last detail about the love of God?  How He created us to have dominion over this world?  How He sent Jesus to defeat His enemy and every evil work he ever did in this world or ever will do?  Sin has been defeated!  Death has been defeated!  Sickness has been defeated!  Disease has been defeated!  Anxiety, worry, doubt, fear, all defeated.  He hung on a cross so we wouldn’t be crushed or even threatened by any attack of the enemy, right now, here in this world! The work Jesus did on the cross was so big and encompassing, there is nothing that can stand against it.  Nothing!!!  It wasn’t just a partial work of Salvation for after we die, it was a complete work of redemption so we can live this life in total victory!  Evil is not our focus, Victory is!  

Today I want to encourage you to keep your focus on the details of your Savior, Jesus!  You already have the victory!  Please stop looking at the things that have already been defeated!  They are not a threat to God or His people, but the only way to believe that is to focus on the God details, not the world details.  We are more than conquerors through Jesus!  Let’s start living like we believe it!

Today’s scripture reading:  Luke 24:1-12

1 But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 

2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 

3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 

4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 

6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 

7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

8 Then they remembered that he had said this. 

9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 

10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 

11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 

12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.