Jesus healed people who were sick and fed people who were hungry. That is why great crowds followed Him.
But He wanted them to know that He was more than what He had to offer…
“Jesus answered: “I am the bread that gives life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry, whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35
God could have created us to need nothing, but instead He made us dependent on things like food, water, oxygen, sleep, sunlight—and on Him. He created this world on purpose, with certain needs and certain limitations.
We are needy by default.
Just as food and water are essential to human life, everyday realities point us to spiritual truths.…
We need Jesus even more than we need the things of life.
We can seek satisfaction in our work and relationships, as well as in money, fame, power, sex, achievement, and adventure. But all this leads to emptiness. All this is like chasing the wind.
So let us follow Jesus not only for what He has to offer, but also for Who He is. We need to realize that this world will never satisfy, but we already have access to real food.
We can come to Him to be satisfied because He is the bread of life.
Philip says to Him: “Lord, show us the Father, and it will be enough for us!” — John 14:8
Author and pastor Erwin Lutzer recalls one TV show where host Art Linkletter had a conversation with a little boy who had set out to draw a picture of God. Surprised, Linkletter remarked, “You can’t do that because nobody knows what God looks like.” “When I draw, everyone will know!” – answered the boy.
We often wonder, “What is God like? Is He really good? Is He kind? Does He care about us?” The simple answer to all these questions lies in the words that Jesus said in response to Philip’s request: “Jesus said to him: “I have been with you so long, Philip, you do not know Me? He who has seen Me has seen the Father, so how do you say: Show us the Father?”” (Jn. 14:8-9).
If you long to see God, look to Jesus. “He is the image of the invisible God, born before all creation” (Col. 1:15). Read again the Gospels from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Meditate deeply on what Jesus did and said. And when you do, you will have a better idea of who God is.
A friend of mine once told me that the only God he could believe in was the one he saw in Jesus Christ. And I’m sure that when you read about Him, your heart will start to beat faster because Jesus is the God You’ve been looking for all your life – although you may not have known it.
Lord, we are very apt to think of You as You are not. Help us to see You more clearly in the pages of the Holy Scriptures. Learn to reflect You in your life.
“The deeper God reveals himself to us, the more clearly we see ourselves.” — Erevi Lutser
Author: David Roper
Maybe it’s a dream you’re holding on to or a promise you’ve been made. Perhaps you are waiting for a person to change or a situation to change. Perhaps you are waiting for an answer to prayer, hoping to come, joy to replace sadness, or clarity and hope to replace confusion and chaos.
In the midst of pain, loss, and suffering, it can be difficult to hold on patiently to the One who promises to come for us.
Isaiah was a prophet to the leaders of Judah in a time of national corruption and spiritual poverty. He foretold that his people would be driven into exile because they trusted in idols, political rulers, and other fleeting things.
But Isaiah also reminded the people that God is sovereign, God will bring them out of exile, and that one day God will send a savior to save them forever.
Isaiah did not live to see all of his prophecies fulfilled, but he kept the hope he prophesied about, and his words to the nation of Israel can continue to encourage us today…
Trust the Lord, even when circumstances don’t make sense.
Trust the Lord even when you suffer.
Trust in the Lord even when your heart breaks.
Whatever happens, trust in the Lord.
Seasons may change, situations may change, people may leave or betray you, but the one who remains constant throughout history is God over history. The Lord is unchanging and indestructible. Nothing can stand against Him or overcome Him.
He knows what it’s like to suffer because He suffered for us. And so we can trust God because He keeps His promises—and He has promised to fight for us, never leave us, make a way for us, love us, protect us, and be faithful to us.
Because God is our salvation, we can trust Him and not be afraid.
So, no matter what happens, let’s choose to trust in the Lord.
Sometimes life can be hard. We all go through times of hardship, grief, or loss. And even if you haven’t experienced it yet, you’ve probably had moments when you got tired of doing good. As much as we want to live well and do good for others, the truth is that we all get tired of it at some point.
In Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah says that those who hope in God will find renewed strength. The key to persevering through tough seasons isn’t just pushing through and trying harder. Strength is not simply hoping that our circumstances will change.
God’s Word says that true strength comes when we put our hope in God. Because God is all-powerful, only He has the power to change our circumstances. But God also knows that we as humans get tired and restless. We often rely on temporary solutions when we should be relying on God who can really help us.
But when we place our hope in God alone, the Scriptures tell us that we will find renewed strength to endure life’s trials. We will be like birds that soar in the sky not by our own strength, but by the strength that God gives.
Relying on God means letting go of our own control and letting Him lead us. It means that we stop trying to force our future and allow God to work in our lives in His timing. Trusting in God means trusting in His promises, even if we do not see them fulfilled in our lifetime.
Take some time today to renew your hope in God. Let Him search your heart. Pray that you will be filled with the strength and hope that only God can give.
Lift up your eyes, and look at the fields, how they have already been halved for the harvest! —John 4:35
At the end of the summer, we went for a walk in the New Forest in England. We had fun picking blackberries in the forest and admiring the horses playing nearby. Enjoying the sweet and free berries, I remembered the words that Jesus once said to His disciples: “I have sent you to reap where you have not worked” (Jn. 4:38).
I love the generosity of God’s Kingdom reflected in these words. God’s grace allows us to enjoy the fruits of someone’s labor. For example, we can carry the love of Jesus to a person, and he has the opportunity to hear the Good News thanks to the fact that his family prayed for him for many years. I also like the principle of limitation that is hidden in Jesus’ words. After all, we know that we will not be able to reap some of the sown seeds – they will be harvested by others. Thus, we can calm down internally while doing our work. We must understand that we are not responsible for the result. Ultimately, God’s work does not depend on us. The Lord has all the resources to grow a bountiful harvest. And our involvement in this work is just a great privilege.
I wonder how many fields around us are already ready for harvesting? Let us heed the loving call of Jesus: “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, how they have already been halved for the harvest!” (John 4:35).
Lord, we thank You for so generously allowing us to be involved in Your work. Teach us to see the opportunities that You give us to testify about the Good News.
We can reap what others have sown.
By Amy Buescher Pye
“I’m not good enough.”
“I’m not smart enough.”
“I’m not strong enough.”
“I’m not enough.”
Every day we are bombarded with lies that try to convince us that we don’t have what it takes to follow Jesus. Whenever we make mistakes, our insecurities show up and tell us that we will always be weak and never experience the freedom that Jesus said we could have. But the Scriptures remind us that it is the divine power of Jesus that gives us everything we need to live a godly life. Because of His strength, when we fall, we can still get up again.
God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Because of the power of Christ, nothing can hold us back. No fear, no worry, no doubt, no defeat, no disappointment, no loneliness, no hardship or pain.
Because of Jesus, we have everything we need to fight against that which tries to steal our rightful identity.
The Word of God is alive, active and sharper than any two-edged sword. It discerns the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. It was breathed out by God and it corrects, teaches and encourages us. God’s Word illuminates our paths.
God’s Word is filled with reminders of who we really are. It may remind you that…
You are enough because you are a child of God. (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1)
You can rejoice in suffering because Christ suffered for you. (1 Peter 4:12-19, James 1:2-4)
You are loved very much, and you can love others as you have been loved. (John 15:9-14)
Nothing can separate you from God’s love. (Romans 8:37-39)
When you understand who you are, then you can really do all things by the power of Christ.
So let’s begin to apply the life-giving truth we find in the Bible to move from victimhood to victory. Embrace who you are in Christ.
And the next time a scary situation arises or a threatening thought comes into your head, remember that you can overcome it because of the divine power of Jesus working in you and through you. You don’t have to go through life alone — and you weren’t meant to.
Do you remember the last time you were exhausted? Maybe you’ve been working on a complex project all day or week. You may have felt drained after helping other people in your life. Or maybe difficult situations and failures have made you think about giving up. We all get tired sometime.
Paul, the author of the Epistle to the Galatians, knew that the people to whom he was writing would also tire of their work. In Paul’s day, people were being persecuted and hurt, and Paul wrote to encourage them in the work they were doing.
Hidden within Paul’s encouragement to the Galatians is this truth:
Even good people get tired of doing good things.
That is why Paul calls everyone to do good. We must continue to help people. We must continue to share the hope of Jesus with people. We must continue to try to live the way God wants us to live.
God knows we’ll get tired eventually. And when we get tired and frustrated, we probably start asking ourselves why we’re doing all this at all (maybe you’ve already asked yourself).
But Galatians 6:9 calls us to persevere in good works. Just as a farmer must work diligently to sow his crop and wait months before the actual harvest, Paul says that the harvest will be for those who do not give up.
Like the Christians in Galatia, we too must persevere in living godly lives and helping others. If we do not give up, the scriptures say there is a reward waiting for us. We may receive this reward during our time on earth or in heaven, but regardless of when we receive it, we must persevere in doing good.
It means that what you do matters. There is value in the way you live and love others.
So take some time today to reflect on what you have done and can continue to do for others. Who can you help? Who can you share your hope in Jesus with? How can you persevere in living a godly life?
If you feel tired or defeated, make a commitment today to never give up. Choose to persevere in whatever season of life you are in, knowing that there will be a harvest for those who make it to the finish line.
Can there be anything beautiful in grief? Grieving a bereavement? Crying from deep and heavy heartache?
Although grief is a necessary part of life, no one wants to grieve. But in the second beatitude, Jesus’ series of promises about the Kingdom of God, Jesus said:
“Blessed are the sorrowful, for God will comfort them.”
Matthew 5:4
No one can appreciate rain more than someone who has lived in the desert. No one can appreciate food more than someone who has really starved. And no one can know God as their Comforter like one who desperately needed comfort.
Unfortunately, death, decay, and disappointment are part of this world. But even in our sorrow and suffering, God is ready to comfort us—in unique and meaningful ways that only He can.
The Holy Spirit is often called the “Comforter” as well as the “Helper”, “Counselor” or “Intercessor”. But no matter what His name is, that is always who He is. Even in our grief, He is always God Who thinks of the best for us.
So how does God comfort us? He does this through His Spirit, through His Word, and through His people.
Do you have eyes to see how He follows you steadfastly? Have you opened your heart to His comfort?
If you are a follower of Christ who is grieving today, remember: Jesus Himself promised that you will be comforted. He is always good, He is always faithful, and He is right here ready to help.
Therefore comfort one another, and build one another up, as you do! — 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Words of encouragement are very important in the workplace. How employees communicate with each other affects customer satisfaction, company profits, and the work environment. Research shows that in the most successful work teams, people say six times more words of praise than words of condemnation or sarcasm. Conversely, in the least successful teams, there are three negative comments for every positive word.
Apostle Paul learned from his own experience the importance of words in building relationships and achieving results in ministry. Before meeting Christ on the road to Damascus, he terrorized the followers of Jesus with words and deeds. But at the time when the apostle wrote the Epistle to the Thessalonians, he, thanks to the great work of God in his heart, became a man of great encouragement and encouraged his readers to comfort one another. The Apostle Paul demonstrated how to support others by reflecting the Spirit of Christ.
At the same time, the apostle reminded his readers who is the Source of all comfort. Trusting the One who loved so much that He died for us is a great reason to comfort others, forgive, inspire and lovingly correct (1 Thessalonians 5:10-11).
The Apostle Paul shows us that mutual encouragement is one of the ways of spiritual help and a reflection of the patience and goodness of God.
Heavenly Father, help us to show each other the mercy and kindness with which You bless us every day.
How wonderful to discover the best qualities in others!
Author: Martin de Haan
Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am quiet and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. — Matthew 11:29
My friend and his wife are in their nineties. Having been married for 66 years, they wrote the history of their family for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The last chapter, entitled “Letter from Mom and Dad”, contains important life lessons. One of them even made me stop and examine my own life: “If you find that your Christian life is exhausting you, draining all your energy, then know that you are practicing religion, and not enjoying a close relationship with Jesus Christ. A true walk with the Lord does not take away strength, but fills energy and revives life” (Mt. 11:28-29).
Eugene Peterson in his book “The Message” paraphrases the words of Jesus: “Are you tired? Are you exhausted? Are you already tired of your religion? Then let’s go together and work together. Know the unobtrusive rhythms of grace.”
When I think that serving God is all about me, I start working for Jesus instead of walking with Him. There is a big difference in this. If I do not walk with Christ, my spirit becomes weary, weak. People are getting annoying. You forget that they were created in God’s image. Everything seems wrong.
If I feel that I am practicing religion and not enjoying my relationship with Jesus, then it is time to take the burden off myself, put it on Christ and walk with Him in the “unobtrusive rhythm of grace.”
Lord Jesus, I come to You today to walk the path of Your grace instead of frantic work.
Jesus Christ wants to walk our way with us.
Author: David McCasland
