JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE
Devotional for August 12, 2018 based upon John 6: 35, 41-51

Every culture on earth has some form of bread, be it bagels, biscuits, baguettes, tortillas, pita, matza, or even lefsa. People get together to “break bread.” In the Arabic language the word for bread is the word for life. Bread is basic to life. It sustains, nourishes, draws people together, and both tastes and smells good. So much so that it can help you sell your house if you bake some bread soon before someone comes over to look at your house.

That is what Jesus was saying when He said, “I am the bread of life.” Jesus is essential to life. Everything that bread represents – sustenance, relationship, goodness, and delight – Jesus claims that He is.

Notice that Jesus did not say, “I can give you the true bread from heaven.” Rather He said, “I am the true bread from heaven.” “You can live without manna, Moses, and religion, but you cannot live without Me.”

And that’s what makes Jesus’ claim so outrageous for many people. That’s why it became such a problem for the crowd. Jesus was telling them that He is more important than anything else in life. That was more than the crowd could take. That is why many stopped following Him.

There is no middle ground with Jesus. You either stone Him or you serve Him. You either receive Him and revere Him or you reject Him. You either follow Him or you turn away.

The people in the crowd that day were impressed by the miracles of Jesus. They also admired the teachings of Jesus. But they did not want to have to admit that they needed Jesus. They would rather have manna. They would rather have a list of rules. They would rather be religious than to have to be in a relationship with Jesus.

And many people today stumble over the same thing. They would like to experience the miracles of Jesus. They admire and would like themselves and other people – especially their children – to live according to the teachings of Jesus. But they would rather take their chances and try to do it by themselves than to have to admit that they need Jesus.

Every time we come forward to receive communion, we confess that we need Jesus. We admit our need for a relationship with Jesus. We are saying that we cannot live without Jesus – in this life and in the life to come.

Maybe we do not fully understand the nature of our need and how it works. But we know we need something that we cannot provide for ourselves. We cannot obtain it in any other way except to come forward and receive it.

Jesus is the bread of life. We cannot earn it, buy it, work for it, or come to the point of deserving it. All we can do is to receive it as we believe in the one whom God has sent.

Dennis D. Nelson
President of the Board and Director of Lutheran CORE

“The enemy will not deceive him, nor the son of wickedness afflict him.  “But I shall crush his adversaries before him, and strike those who hate him.”  (Psalm 89:22-23)

Who is able to deceive the Lord?  He who is forever knows all things and He knows what is in the hearts of men.  For His own purpose and by His will, He allows what He allows, but this does not mean that He does not know.  All who rebel against the Lord will be crushed.  Those who seek the Lord will see Him.  Come to the Lord and live in the purpose of the eternal One.

Lord I am often confused by this crazy world.  Help me to see more clearly the truth that You are the One who has created all things and holds all things in Your hands.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and forever be guided by You.  Let me not be among those whom You will crush, but found amongst those whom You call faithful.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way I should go.

You have come into our midst and made Yourself known that we may follow You all the days of our life.  Come, Lord Jesus and lead me where You want me to be this day.  Come, Holy Spirit, and minister to my heart that I would serve You all the days of my life.  Lead me to be amongst the righteous.  You have called and I have heard.  Empower my feet to follow.  Amen.

“I have found David My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him, with whom My hand will be established; my arm also will strengthen him.”  (Psalm 89:20-21)

The Lord has appointed those whom He will use for His service.  It is as the Lord determines.  Do not fret over the appointments of the Lord, but walk humbly in His ways and be glad that He has given You His word.  Live into the hope of your salvation knowing that the Lord has accomplished it.  The Lord is merciful and kind, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Lord, lead me through the troubles that each day brings.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see the hope of glory that You give.  You will appoint whom You will appoint to positions of leadership.  Guide me in the way You would have me go and grant that I be content in whatever circumstance You grant me to live.  You are God and there is no other.  In You alone is there hope.

My God and my Savior, guide me to walk humbly with You this day knowing that all things are in Your hands.  Help me now and always to see in You the hope of glory You have provided through the grace and mercy that You purchased by Your blood shed for me.  Lead me to do those things which are pleasing in Your sight.  May I be faithful this day, being guided in Your Holy Spirit.  Amen.

“For our shield belongs to the Lord, and our king to the Holy One of Israel.  Once You spoke in vision to Your godly ones, and said, “I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.”  (Psalm 89:18-19)

The Lord knows the times and events before they unfold.  He has given help to those who are His and grants strength to those He appoints.  Be among those whom the Lord knows and walk in His ways.  Know that Your days have been seen by the Lord and He goes before you.  Around you are the cloud of witnesses who join as those under the Lord’s guidance and protection.

Lord, help me to see that it is not a matter of my being special, but as one who has come under the provision of Your grace and mercy.  Lead me in the way You would have me go that I may now and always live according to Your will and walk in Your way.  Lift my spirit up to see in You the hope of glory and to know that You watch over all.  May I be found always as one who walks willingly in Your sight.

Lord, You have appointed the times and seasons.  You have appointed those who rule over us.  You are the One who unfolds history.  Guide me humbly to walk in Your presence and praise You who is worthy of all praise.  Lead me this day to do those things You appoint me to do knowing that all things work together for good for those who love You.  May I be dedicated to You this day and every day, my Lord and my God.  Amen.

“In Your name they rejoice all the day, and by Your righteousness they are exalted.  For You are the glory of their strength, and by Your favor our horn is exalted.”  (Psalm 89:16-17)

Do you call upon the name of the Lord?  Do you think of all the goodness He has lavished upon you?  The Lord has created all things and yes, the wicked roam the earth, but all are blessed because the Lord provides for all.  Lift up the name of the Lord and rejoice in His goodness and mercy.  Show others your thankfulness by serving them as the Lord has served you.  In Him is all goodness.

Lord, continue to strengthen my heart to rejoice in the goodness of Your mercy and grace.  Guide me in the way I should go and let Your presence in my life be evident.  Help me in every time of need to see Your purpose for my life and to live into that purpose.  Now and always, may there be praise of You upon my lips.  May I do what is pleasing in Your sight to accomplish Your will for me.

Lord, I need the guidance of Your Spirit to lead me throughout this day.  It is a mixed up world and things happen that cause me to be distracted.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way I should live this day that I would do what is pleasing in Your sight.  Help me now and always to be guided by Your grace and mercy and to do those things which are right in Your sight now and always.  Amen.

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; lovingkindness and truth go before You.  How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!  O Lord, they walk in the light of Your countenance.”  (Psalm89:14-15)

Have you met one whom you know loves the Lord?  Their countenance shines and those around them know they are one of the faithful (not the zealots who are trying to convince everyone of their goodness, but the ones who love others and repeat the joyful sound of grace and mercy).  Walk in the light of the countenance of the Lord and reflect His grace and mercy all the days of your life.

Lord, the offer You give is right there before all.  Few are they who walk in the countenance of Your love, grace, and mercy.  Help me, O Lord, to give up the rebellion in my heart and come by Your grace through faith to walk now and always in the truth of Your presence and purpose.  Show me the difference a life in You would make and then guide me in the way You would have me go.

Lord Jesus, You have come to be the model of the godly life.  You who paid the price for salvation are also the One who has shown me the way to live.  Through the Holy Spirit, guide me to walk always in the way I should go and live according to all that You have commanded.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may walk the way of salvation and be one of those lights shining in the darkness of this world.  Amen.

“The north and the south, You have created them; Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at Your name. You have a strong arm; Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted.” (Psalm 89:12-13)

In You, O Lord, is the hope of all the ages. You know the unfolding of human history, and all things are in Your hands. Lead my heart to see that although times and seasons change, the rebellion of humanity against You remains the same. Lead me to be one who lives in peace with You, the Creator of all things. You alone are to be exalted. Teach me to praise You now and always.

Lord, amidst the troubles of this world, teach me to give thanks for Your goodness and mercy. Help me to not be conditional, but praise and thank You in every circumstance. Lead me, O Lord, that I may walk in Your counsel and learn to praise You at all times. Guide my heart to move ever closer to You that I would do what is right and fitting at all times and in all circumstances.

Lead me, Holy Spirit, to walk humbly in Your counsel. Guide my footsteps to do those things which are pleasing to the Father. Never let me forget the grace which has been purchased that I may walk in the liberty You grant. In all that happens, teach me faithfulness that I would live according to the never-changing precepts spoken from the beginning. Guide me now and always. Amen.

You Yourself crushed Rahab like one who is slain; You scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm. The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all it contains, You have founded them.” (Psalm 89:10-11)

The times and seasons are in the Lord’s hands. He holds the ages in His mind and all things will come to pass as the Lord has determined. Why do you worry about the events that happen around you? Are they not in the Lord’s hands? Why do you make your faith conditional? Will not the Lord bring to pass all the He has spoken? Come to the Lord and live in the hope of His Word.

Lord, I do fret over the circumstances of this world. I see so many things and there are so many that are conditional. Teach me to simply come to You knowing that all things are now and always have been in Your hands. Guide me in the way of faith that I would trust You above all things. Lead me, O Lord, and I will be led into the promises You have given for all throughout the ages.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your goodness and grace which You have purchased for all who believe. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for the guidance You give moment by moment. Lead me in the way I should go so that in all I do the Father may be glorified. Keep my mind and heart close to You that what happens around me is seen as only the unfolding of events that You knew would happen. Amen.

TRUST AND OBEY
Devotional for August 5, 2018 based upon Exodus 16: 2-4, 9-15

There was a song we used to sing when I was growing up entitled “Trust and Obey.” The words of the chorus went like this –
“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.”

The story of God’s giving His people manna is a story of learning to trust and obey. God provided each day enough manna for that day. They could not hoard or stockpile manna, for any they did not eat that day would spoil by the following day. They had to trust that the God who provided enough manna for each day every day up until today will also provide for tomorrow. They had to learn to trust.

And they also had to learn to obey. On the sixth day, Friday, they were told to gather enough manna for two days, for there would not be any manna on the seventh day, Saturday. But, as is typical of human nature, Exodus 16 tells us that there were some people who did not obey. On Friday they did not collect enough manna for two days. On Saturday, they went out looking for manna, but they found none.

Exodus 16: 21 says, “Morning by morning they gathered it, as much as each needed.” Reminds me of the words to another song –
“Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand has provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.”

Do you trust God that He will take care of you and provide for you? Or do you wonder if the One who has brought you this far might let you down now? Do you trust, and do you obey?

There is no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.

Dennis D. Nelson
President of the Board and Director of Lutheran CORE