Bread of Life, JIL

” You are here to be light, bringing out the God-Colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept.” Matthew 5:14

“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” Matthew 3:8

When Jesus began his ministry on this earth he did so at the proper time. When he came and began teaching to those around him, and eventually to all of the crowds who followed him, he did not do so by whispering in the ear of each, asking that they keep his message a secret to all except his chosen ones. No, instead he shouted his message to the world. When we truly believe in Christ’s ways, our desire will be to yell his message to everyone. For us to be able to do this, our faith must be great in strength, so we are able to sweep away fear and focus only on our precious God in heaven. It is by the way we live our lives through the teachings of Jesus and the way we speak in his language that we will stand out to others. We are to shine with his beauty and his dedication to his Father in heaven. We have a beautiful, gracious and saving God in heaven who has created a second chance for all to meet him on their own time schedule and in a setting that is best for them. Let us keep the faith and continue to shine on his behalf until he comes again! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“We should live in the evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ, will be revealed.” Titus 2:12-13

“So, don’t let anyone disregard what you say.” Titus 2:15

Evil has been in this world since the beginning of time. What was once given to Adam and Eve as the perfect world, was quickly destroyed by the deception thrown at them from the devil himself. Since then, evil has been common in this world, with many adhering to its natural pleasures, while others, who were committed to God in heaven, had to find ways to overcome the things that looked reasonable and good in this world, yet were only ways that were heading to hell. The past and the present are very close in nature. We still must be overcomers, but in today’s world God has given us his Son Jesus to help us and save us. We have the ability to pray for wisdom and righteousness in our lives. Our great God in heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ are about to be revealed. Even we do not know the time nor date we do know the signs. The signs are pointing to Jesus’s return very soon. To those who ignore what is happening in today’s world and living lives of evil are closer to hell than heaven. You and I are obligated to keep the message of salvation through Jesus before the world. His time of grace is about to end. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“You are blessed when you’re content with just who you are-no more, no less.” Matthew 5:5 (The Message)

God has made each of us for a purpose. He has made us with our own personalities, our own looks, our own ways of doing things and our own ways of talking with others. We don’t all see eye to eye but God has his purpose. As followers of Christ Jesus, we all have the same goal in mind. However, God has given each of us different talents in order to reach our goals. He has provided us each with different ways to reach out to others and different people to reach out to. When we accept Jesus, we accept our own ministry and our own ways of telling and teaching about Jesus. It becomes dangerous when we begin to try to change ourselves without the consent of God in heaven. It is only when we begin to stray from the truth that we begin to change. God then puts us back on the right path. So, let’s all be content of who we are in Christ and do his work as he planned us to do. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.” Psalm 91:11

What a strong sense of relief Psalm 91:11 can be for those who trust in God with all of their heart and are able to let go of the fears of the world. When we are able to look up to the Lord and say, ‘Lord, this problem is yours, as you are in control and not me,’ the anxiety, pain and suffering suddenly all goes away, as he takes over and we are able to rest in his presence. Just as Jesus’s disciples followed and learned from him, we also are to follow him and learn from his ways. Our prayers must be strong and completed often. Our faith, though a work in progress, must be built on the solid rock of trust, love and salvation. We must read his word often and meditate on every word. When our problems are trusted into his hands, he becomes our strength and our refuge. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” And for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

When we follow Jesus, we can rest assured that he is with us in all situations. As his followers we are setting out to do his will and not our own. Sometimes this is very hard to do because we are not trained to listen and perform the duties for which he has called us. We are to train ourselves up to be good stewards of his message and to become able to deliver it in such a way that helps others to receive it. We must read and study his Word. We must meditate upon it and pray for understanding. We must be quiet and listen when the Holy Spirit is talking with us. We must always stay focused on the Word of God and not the things that surround us. It matters not whether we are having a good day or whether we are struggling with troubles, our Lord is always there to help us, to pick us up when we fall or to slow us down when we run too fast and get ahead of him. It is important to remember that for all of us who love God, and are doing his work of spreading his message, all things work together for good because our God supports us in all things. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.” Psalm 18:30

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 2 Timothy 4: 3-4

Our God in heaven is perfect. His ways and his mighty promises give us the hope and understanding that we can receive in no other way. There are those in this world who live their lives in their own ways and, in doing so, leave a trail of disaster. What may seem as good, in the ways of the world today, will soon be found to lead to destruction and agony in the future. There is eternal life awaiting those who believe and keep their focus on our Lord Jesus Christ! For all others there is nothing but doubt, fear and a lost opportunity for eternal life itself. There is not an in between. Our decision to follow the ways of Jesus are now and not for later. It is not too late today but it may be tomorrow! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

“It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.” Mark 15:25

“Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘ELOI, ELOI, LEMA SABACTHANI?’ which means , ‘MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU ABANDONED ME?‘ Mark 15:34

There is nothing in this world that compares to what Jesus did for you and me. The humiliation and pain that he endured on our behalf is something we will never have to experience. When we go through our rough times we must remember these six hours that were spent on the cross. There was pain that we cannot imagine There was humiliation and taunting that was to create embarrassment on behalf of Jesus. The next time you a have a bad day just think about the six hours Jesus spent on the cross. Remember, he was nailed and died there for you and me! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

“Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.” 2 Timothy 2:4

“Avoid worthless , foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.” 2 Timothy 2:16

“Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act.” Psalm 37:7

It is so easy to get involved in the ways of the world. With all of the social media platforms existing in today’s world, we can easily slip into fear, doubt and worry without even knowing it. However, just as 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, our God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. We are to stay close to our Lord and never stray far from his word. If we surround ourselves with the world then we will become a part of its ways. We have been put upon this earth but we are not to become a party to its nature . We are not to get involved in things that don’t concern us. We are not to become a part of the foolishness of the world’s ways. Instead, we are to surround ourselves with his holiness and love. When we do, we will continue to build our faith and become even stronger in our journey on this earth. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“I love you Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior; my God is my rock in whom I find protection.” Psalm 18: 1-2

It is sometimes very frightening when we think of the unknown. Times like that can feel lonely, dark and confusing. You and I don’t know when we are going to meet Jesus because that time is unknown. We have no time schedule or chart that shows us where our place in line is. We are not sure if today is our last breath or whether there is still more for us to do. What Jesus tells us is that we are to be prepared. We are always to look forward and not backward. We are to understand that we are not alone. He is our fortress for incoming persecution, our protection from the outside world. He is our Savior and when our time arrives we are to be happy and not sad. He is our rock, and we can have comfort knowing and believing that we can stand with him now and forever. PRAISE THE LORD IN EVERY SITUATION!

” ‘Abba Father,‘ he cried out, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done and not mine.’ “ Mark 14:36

When Jesus was born into this world, he came just as you and I. He was born into a world of sin with people who needed to be saved from the evil that was all around them. But the salvation came with a great price. As the time approached for Jesus to return to heaven, he became sorrowful and anxious about what was about to occur. As he prayed to God the Father on the Mount of Olives, he expressed his thoughts and anxieties to God. However, his love for you and me overcame his thoughts about his end on this earth. He desired to fulfill God’s will and not his own. We should raise our hands high each day to praise Him for his death on that cross. We should praise and glorify our God in heaven for the sacrifice of His Son. Without the plan of action that our God took for each of us, we would all be lost. But it was God’s desire to once again establish his Kingdom upon this earth and to save you and me in the midst of it all. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?” Proverbs 18:14

There are many in this world who live their whole lives in physical pain. Our physical bodies are able to withstand a lot of pain for long periods of time. However, it is when our spirits are wiped clean and our hope is gone that we become vulnerable to giving up in life. We must always have hope to hang onto. We must be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Our God has provided that for us. With our acceptance of Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our light shines brightly, and our hope never fades away. It is that hope and belief in our eternal life that keeps our spirit healthy. Our faith must never go away. It must become so strong that it overshadows anything the devil and this world throws at us. We can live with physical pain, but we cannot live without our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who provides us with the spiritual strength to move forward. PRAISE THE LORD IN EVERY SITUATION!

“Do not waste your time arguing over godless ideas and old wife’s tales. Instead, train yourself up to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8

Godliness is defined as the “quality or practice of conforming to the laws and wishes of God; devoutness and moral uprightness.” It is important that as believers is Christ, we properly reflect the nature of the kingdom of God in our course of everyday life. Because we were born into this world as sinners, this does not come natural to us. We must first come to our Lord through salvation, trust in him and believe. We must study his word and begin to learn his ways. As we learn what he wants of us we must begin to use his thoughts and ideas in our own lives until they become a part of us. As we do these things our lives will begin to change, and others will watch and learn from our actions. Let us all strive to become like Christ! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

First impressions are of great value. When a person first sees you, they take a picture of you in their mind and that picture is what they remember. That first impression is what lingers on with them until you prove to them otherwise. As a believer in Christ Jesus, you are to live your life everyday as one with pure thoughts, great faith, sound words and a love that lasts forever. It is the way you live that will produce a great first impression on all of those around you, both believers and unbelievers. It is your task to present yourself as a child of God and not be afraid of what others say or think. Just as Jesus walked through persecution and ridicule, we too, are to put that kind of reaction behind us and move forward. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.” Psalm 11:4

Our God never sleeps. He is always watching over us, safely keeping us tucked away in his loving arms. This may seem impossible to some, but to those who know the Lord God in heaven, it is a truth. God’s eyes are always open, and he is always ready to help us in our journey. He watches when we make mistakes, he watches when we are going through grief and are sad, he watches when we are lonely and confused, and he watches our every success. So, it is important that we go to him for help when we need it and go to him in praise when we should be thankful for his protection and help. Let us never forget that God is always watching us and watching over us. We are never alone. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” Psalm 91:2

I don’t know about you, but I do know that there have been and continue to be numerous times in my own life where I have needed solitude and a place where I feel safe and without worries. A place like that is sometime very hard to find. However, God in heaven has provided that for us. He has provided us with his son, Jesus to be by our side at all times. All we must do is have the willingness to listen and follow him. When we need that alone time it should include Him. He is always with us but does not become a part of our lives unless we ask for his help. The decision is ours and ours alone. If we need help in our lives, if we need healing in our lives, if we need forgiveness in our lives or if we need consoling in our lives, Jesus is with us and is available as our refuge. However, we must include him. We must invite him to give us his rest and his peace and his direction and his wisdom. He is our refuge! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Proverbs 17:22

Spreading good cheer and not words of doom and gloom can sometimes be hard to do, especially if we live in a world of destruction, sadness, fear and doubt. We must begin to overcome what is happening around us and allow our thoughts to produce words that will help people and not harm them. I know from my own experience, as I have struggled and continue to struggle with this assignment. We must pray to God and dig deep into our spirits to bring out the good medicine that helps to heal. Those who are sick, fearful or doubting, will heal faster with the good medicine of a cheerful heart. When we worry or fret about things, especially things we have no control over, we become drained, tired and unable to rise up to perform the duties God has given to each of us. It is time to pray, praise and believe! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” God has called us to live in peace.” 1 Corinthians 7:15

” So, we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. ” Galatians 3:22

Living on earth and believing in things that we see and hear makes it more difficult to believe in the things of the spirit world. When we are in trouble or are feeling sad, it is time to call on the name of Jesus. It is through His name that freedom comes to our spirit. It is through His name that we are to stay calm and are able to make it through the hardest of times in our lives. We have not been called to live our lives in chaos or upheaval. We are called to slow our lives down and look up to heaven calling out the name of Jesus, as God recognizes us and hears our prayers. It is through that great and justifiable name of Jesus that we are free and can live in freedom. With faith in his word, we are able to receive his promises for our lives and live them in joy and peace. We must consistently build upon the faith we have and continue to walk along in the path he has chosen for us, with our hand in the hand of Jesus. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him.” 2 Thessalonians 1: 11-12

Honoring the name of our Lord Jesus Christ should be first and foremost in our lives. This has never been described as an easy task. In fact, it is impossible unless our God gives us the power to do so. As we pray each day it is our responsibility to ask for his help in all that we do and speak. He freely gives to those who believe. He helps us to walk through the fire from the tongues of the unbelievers who surround us. He helps us to walk along in our faith and not look behind to see the past or to the right or to the left to see those who persecute us. Instead, he allows us to focus on the path before us and to do so with the power only he can provide. It is our God in heaven who gives us the strength we need to honor him, and it is by faith that we receive this great blessing. Let us not miss the opportunity! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9

In accepting Jesus, we are saved! When Jesus was sent to this earth he had nothing to do with the wrath of God. He had everything to do with the love of God. He walked the same path we are walking. He took all of the persecution and more than we take. He took our sins upon himself and went to the cross and was sacrificed for each of us who believe and receive his mighty message of love. The wrath of God doesn’t come through Jesus. The love of God does. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” So be on guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6

Our time is now! We have been created to live in a time of technology and with things beyond belief. We have been chosen to live in a time when everything runs fast. Our society is in a hurry to do everything. We are to stay alert. We are to stay watchful and not let our guard down. When the things of the world go by us, with what seems like the speed of light, we must slow down and continue to keep our thoughts collected. We are to know that Jesus is returning soon and that we must stay ready and not be involved in the ways of this world. It is the speed of this world that causes confusion and disconnect in our lives. However, as we keep our eyes upon Jesus, we know that he will never fail us. If we mirror his time schedule then we will never be disappointed, fearful or unbelieving. We must always be alert and clearheaded! This is our time. We have been selected by God to be a part of these days. It is important that we do not fail. We must continue to pray and study his holy Word. He loves us and we must love Him! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength, He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:1-6

I have read this passage for many years. I have read it over and over again, but sometimes it became just words in my head. Psalm 23 is a calming message for us all. It is one that takes us to another level with our Lord God. It is soothing and unrestricting. If we just take time to read and dwell upon it, we will be comforted by the gentle sound of its loving message. We all go through struggles just as David did and we all have a God in heaven who is by our side to help us through. He never leaves us nor does let go through more than we can handle. He gives us rest, strength, guidance, protection, blessings and comfort. If we just pursue him, we will live in the house of the Lord forever.

PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THNGS!

” ‘ Anything is possible if a person believes.’ The father instantly cried out,’ I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.’ ” Mark 9: 23 & 24

Is it possible to believe and not believe at the same time? There are times in our lives where we do believe that our Lord will answer our prayers and that we will receive what we ask for. However, there are other times where we pray and ask for something without having strong faith and a solid belief. As we grow as a Christian, we must understand that it is a process. It is a journey we take with Jesus along a path that leads us through solid faith in him and also leads us through times of trouble where we find unbelief raising its ugly head. Even those who were with him here on this earth doubted him at times. They were unsure, but as time went on, they saw his miracles and they believed. We are no different. It takes a lot of prayer and a lot of stepping out into uncomfortable situations, that will help to build our faith and belief in what we are trying to build. As we follow Jesus there will be times when we falter. We will fail because we are human. But with the help of God in heaven, we will succeed. We must continue to follow Jesus and never give up. He is with us and will help us to become who he wants us to be. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Being faithful in the things we are to do for the Lord God in heaven does not come easy. It is not easy to trust in his word. It is not easy to step out and put his word first in our lives. We are surrounded by people, and we are sensitive to what others may think of us. We sometimes become anxious and want answers from him quicker than he will provide them. We sometimes are not able to concentrate and focus upon the Holy Spirit who provides us with direction and knowledge in our lives. I once heard that the best things in life are the things we must work hard for. That is so true when it comes to living for God. It is not easy. It is hard work, but it is work that is rewarded to the fullest when our duties are complete, as our purpose is to please God and not people. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” Ephesians 2:8

“Salvation is not a reward for good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:9

Salvation does not represent perfection in our life. Salvation is a gift from God, given to us because he loves us and wants us to be with him for eternity. However, we were born into sin. We must recognize that even though we are saved, we still have much work to do in our lives. We are still human, still tempted and still fail. It is our position to strive toward his excellence, with the understanding that this is a process. No matter how long we have known the Lord we still learn from him, and we still work to be like him. It is in our desire to be like Jesus that we change in our life and reflect his goodness and love for others. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News.” Colossians 1:23

As we live our lives in this world it becomes like swimming in the ocean. As the waves of life come our way, we live within them and do the things necessary to survive. However, we have received promises and gifts from our God in heaven. We understand that he is trustworthy, he is loving, he is understanding, he is patient, he is lifegiving, he is the healer, the protector and the forgiver. As we live in this world, we are not to be of this world. Our lives come from heaven itself. It is by our faith in Christ Jesus that we are able to overcome the great waves that come toward us. It is with our faith that we are able to overcome the waves of the world. We are to listen carefully and put God’s words into action in our lives. When we do, we are able to resist the waves of this life and are swept away by the waves of God’s ways. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

” Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2

” Live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity.” Colossians 4:5

As we begin each day it is to our benefit to begin with a “good morning” to our Lord God in heaven. It is important that we begin by giving him thanks for another day of breath upon this earth and another opportunity to spread his “Word” to others. We are told that we are to live wisely among those who do not believe of the rebirth in Christ, and to make the most of every chance we may have to explain and demonstrate the benefits of his grace and love for each of us. Our focus must remain strong; we must stay alert, and we must praise him with a thankful heart. Our love for Jesus must overflow so that others can accept him and live with him in eternity. So, as God has given us the Holy Spirit, let us be wise in our attention to Him and never turn our backs on his words and direction for our life. As our God in heaven so loves the world, we also, are to love Him. PRAISE THE LOERD IN ALL THINGS!

” Set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3

” And whatever you do and say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17

It is often hard to remember our reasons for living. We are born into this world as a sinner and live as a sinner until we meet our loving Christ Jesus and accept him as our Lord and Savior. Even after we bring him into our lives, we will find ourselves floating back and forth from the realities of this world to the life we should live in Christ. Scriptures make it clear that after our conversion to Jesus, we are to re-focus and stay in tune with heaven. It is there that our lives begin and end. It is there that we want to be for eternity. So, it is there that we are to focus and become representatives of Christ Jesus in everything we do, say, and in all the ways we act. Let us take time to re-focus on the realities of heaven, for it is real and everlasting. It is our time on this earth that we prepare for our eternal life in heaven with our great God in all of his glory. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.” Colossians 2:9

“Christ performed Spiritual Circumcision-the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” Colossians 2: 11-12

Our life on this earth is to be a shadow of our life to come in eternity.  Our life is to represent the way we are to act, to believe and to represent him on this earth.  We, as believers in his way, are to practice his ways by allowing him to be involved with us in all things.  God is with us as we believe in Christ Jesus.  God so loves us that he allowed his Son to die a dreadful death so that you and I could prepare for our life eternal.  It is through his death and resurrection that we are able to believe and receive.  We are his and he is unwilling to give us up.  No matter our sins, they are forgiven, if we ask and repent.  So, let us all honor him now, on this earth, for his unconditional love and for his saving grace that allows us a second chance.  PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

“His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

” For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God.” Psalm 7:9

It is so easy to get tangled up in our own lives that we sometimes forget that our mission on this earth is to spread the gospel of Christ Jesus. We begin to do things that help ourselves, without giving Jesus a second thought. We give credit to those where credit is not due, and we take credit for things that we are not in any way responsible for. God knows us well. He has a deep vision of each of us. As scripture tells us, he looks deep into our mind and our heart. He knows exactly when we are just spouting out words to satisfy our own feelings and needs. He also knows when we are addressing him from our heart and are allowing him to work in our lives. He knows when we are truly living a life that supports the love and desire to be with him and to spread his message. Our God in heaven cannot and will not be fooled. Let us dig deep and continue to focus and live our lives with the strength and knowledge our God gives us. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!