John 6:25-58 Eat This Bread

John 6:25-58 NIV
The crowd has followed Jesus to the other side of the lake. Maybe you thought that they followed him in order to be closer to their LORD. It really doesn't appear that way. Jesus knows what's going on in their hearts and minds. They follow him because they want him to continue blessing them with food for their stomachs. They don't want Jesus. They want supper.

Well, we all have to eat. But, bread made of flour will not sustain us for eternity. There is only one bread that can do that. It is the Bread of Life. Jesus is the Bread of Life. Whoever, in faith, eats of His Body at the Lord's Supper will be sustained for eternity. He is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6)

Today is a Sunday. I will be leading three Worship Services as most congregations worship on Sundays. Please remember to attend Worship somewhere so that you might receive the Word of Life; the Bread of Life, and may the peace of God be with you for all eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Just in case you didn't read the scripture that is attached above here is another reminder to feed on the Word and the Sacrament often!: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”  (John 6:56-58)

Luke 15 Return

Luke 15 NIV
It saddens parents when they lose their children; even if it is only because they have graduated from school and move on with their lives as we've spent years preparing them to do. But, what a reunion when they come home! Nor does God rejoice in losing one soul; rather, he rejoices when they are found and return to Him.

Return to the LORD, for He is good and His mercy endures forever....

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 12 - Blood That Is Thicker Than Blood

     "While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
     He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”" (Matt 12:46-50 NIV)

Family... There is a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ that was shed for you. Because he was willing to die for us, we are willing to follow Him, doing our Father's will. We can say "Our Father" because through Jesus we have been made children of God. We have been adopted.

Jesus was not disavowing his mother. He loved his mother; for, even as he suffered on the cross, he appointed John to look after Mary. He was making the point that those who believe and follow are his family. Thus, we have the Church; the family of God.

There is the blood that is thicker than blind. It binds us together, forever. It is the blood of Christ shed for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hosea 9 - Rejoice in the LORD

"Do not rejoice, Israel;
    do not be jubilant like the other nations.
For you have been unfaithful to your God;
    you love the wages of a prostitute    at every threshing floor." (Hosea 9:1 NIV)
It's not looking for Israel. Their celebration will turn to mourning because they have been unfaithful to their God. We have been unfaithful to our God.

So many out there seeking enjoyment in all the things that will eventually lead them to destruction. When will we turn to the LORD? When will we worship Him with our whole hearts and minds? When will we stop pursuing those things which only lead us to separation from God?

The LORD promises good to those who love Him (Rom 8:28). Why would we go on serving and loving other gods that do not love us, that can bring us no joy? "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 118) and "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Phil 4:4) Let us always keep our hearts and minds focused on the love of God through Christ Jesus that we might have reason to rejoice.

God's Peace - Pr. J