Bread

Friday, May 19, 2023

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: James 3:17-18

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Memory of the Month: John 10:27-28

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Today's reading: 1 CHRONICLES 7-9 JOHN 6:22-44

It Always Comes Down To Bread

John 6:33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.

We have started to hear that athletes are not happy. Really? Millions of dollars generated by their own physical gifts and they are unhappy? If money and fame is what they go seek, that is all they will find.

Matthew 6:1 Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be praised by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward.

In the last 60 years or so, bread has been equated with money. We work to make 'bread'. If 'bread' is what we work for, 'bread' is all we will get. This is all just shadows-All the fame and fortune and estate planning--all dust in the wind-unless the individual heart really belongs to Jesus. 'Happy' is so temporary-joy of the Lord's kind never goes away-except for sin.

Matthew 4:4: And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God

Most of the world will never get it. A guarantee of protection of human life will never be valid. A guarantee of happiness from success in this world simply is not real.

People are afraid they will never find happiness-because they chase the wrong bread..1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love..

--but sometime-somewhere-somehow-the right bread must be sought out. But, they must know what they are missing. They must see it in our lives.

Where are we in all this? What have we left out?

1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all men 2for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.…

Matthew 5:15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a lampstand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The answer is in the word of God and the answer is 'the Bread of Life'-real life.

The greater the distance grows between civilization and Gods kingdom, the greater the human void of unhappiness will be.

The greatest answer is still the most simple:

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."(John 6:35)

Matthew 22:37-40

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

If you love your neighbor, give him the real bread.

It always comes down to bread...

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven, Merciful God,

I confess that I just don't love enough.

Father, help us get the Bread of Life where it needs to be. Cast out my fear and forgive me.

Merciful and mighty God of peace and truth!

In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord,

Amen