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Archive for February, 2012

Understanding Jesus as the Bread of Life

Grains are one of the main food groups. In the past, it was always located on the bottom of the Food Pyramid. This was because you needed to eat more grains than the other foods. Many of our basic everyday foods come from the grains group. According to the dictionary, the staff of life is “a staple of diet; especially: bread”.  Just as bread is important today, it was a vital food source in Jesus’ day. For most people of Jesus’ day grains were the main food that they ate on a daily basis. “Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35). This was a major thing to say. When the Israelites where traveling in the wilderness they ate manna from heaven. Manna was a type of bread that was given to them by God. They collected it 6 days a week. On the 6th day they collected enough for the Sabbath, because they would not allowed to work on the Sabbath day.  Jesus said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven” (John 6:41). Later Jesus says, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51). Here Jesus is referring to spiritual bread. One way of eating this spiritual bread is by reading the bible. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). In the book of Mark, “Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake [it], and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body” (Mark 14:22). Since Jesus is the word, we can “eat” his body by studying his word and developing a closer relationship with him. It is wonderful to know that Jesus is our daily bread. He will provide physical bread and spiritual bread for each of us, because he is “the same yesterday, to day, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

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Scriptural Articles

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Stay Vigilant: Protect Yourself from Spiritual Danger

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). Look at the loins in the wild. They never go after the big strong animals or even the baby animals that are in the middle of the large herd. They try to separate the weak sickly animals from the herd or get a baby off by its self. It does not even have to be very far from the group. It only has to get a few feet from safety then the lion is able to sneak in when no one is looking and take the baby or sick animal.

Many times we think that the devil is out to tempt us with big things. However, that is not what he does. Just like with the animals in the wild, he tries to make you think that going just a couple of feet away from safety is ok.  Remember Jesus says that it is the little foxes that spoil a whole vineyard.  The big things you can normally see and recognize from a mile away. The little things are not so easy to see or recognize.

However, this is why God says “… be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (I Peter 4:7). This means that you are suppose to stay alert, be mindful, watch out, and pray. Someone who is not sober has problems walking, talking, and thinking. Jesus wants us to be able to think. He gave us a brain so as we can read and think about his word. He wants us to pray for many reasons. One reason is because he can know things that we do not know. He knows where the loin is hiding and what we need to do in order to stay safe. Jesus knows what little thing will pull us away from safety, therefore he wants us to pay attention to the warning signs that he gives us.

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The Power of Fine Print: Trusting God in Tough Times

Many times, I look around and it seems to me that non-Christians are doing better than Christians are. I do not understand why my husband fails to be able to get contract painting work. I ask God why this other family-owned painting company can find work, yet they are not Christians. God reminds me that I cannot see what he sees or know what is going on with that family. He also reminds me that he can use the ungodly to bless the godly.
I then thank God while suppressing a laugh as I remember that when Satan wants to do something he must first get permission from God. Satan must present his plans to God and get permission. God then decides. Then God can either deny access or grant access. However, the fine print is always added when permission is granted. This fine print is kind of like the small print at the bottom of a contract.
 
 A great example of this is found in Job. In chapter 1, Satan asks for permission to tempt Job. The interesting thing is that Satan must get permission.
 
God answers and says, “…Behold all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand…” (Job 1:12).  Therefore, I can still rejoice even though Satan does not want our painting company to prosper. I rejoice because I know that at this time, he cannot prevent my husband from getting subcontract work.
All Christians can rejoice because God always adds in fine print. This limits what Satan can do.Satan has a plan, but the fine print stops him from being completely successful, unless we stop trusting God.
Overcoming Challenges: Faith in Modern Society

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Family stories, Stories and more

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Choosing Between Education and Survival: A True Story

A few ago, I came face to face with how ungrateful many people really are including me. Even now when I think about it, tears come to my eyes. I came to know a fourteen-year-old boy. His dad is in jail. The boy lives with his mother in Mexico. The boy is given a choice every weekday. He can go to school, or he can go to work. The boy, who I am going to call Sam, knows that if he goes to school his mother will only be able to eat one bowl of beans that day. He knows that if he goes to work, they will both be able to eat two bowls of beans that day. Therefore, Sam goes to work with his uncle. Sam’s Uncle is my brother-n-law. My brother-n-law asked my husband for some help because he cannot find any work. My brother-n-law is a bricklayer by trade. Because of the help that we gave, they have both been able to find work in a restaurant.

This got me to thinking. Here in America most of the people do not have to choose between getting a high school education and eating. Here in America, we complain about many things that are not important. Most teenagers want the newest in electronics or clothing. Sam is excited over a new toothbrush, a pillow, and a new blanket. The blanket is only plain green and twin size. He is not concerned about name brand shoes or name brand blue jeans. We complain because the light bill is higher than normal. They do not have electricity because they cannot afford it. That means that not only does Sam and his mother work from daylight to dark 6 to 7 days a week, but they also cook their food on a wood stove and wash their clothes on a scrub board or by hand. Why are we complaining? We access to a microwave, a stove, washer and dryer, a computer, and a couple of televisions. God help us all to be more thankful.

Inspiring Family Stories That Uplift Your Spirit

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How Jesus Knows Us Inside and Out

 

Jesus knows the beginning from the end because he declared the “end form the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:’” (Isaiah 46:10). “I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). This means that before the foundations of the world was laid Jesus was there. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” (John 1:1). With words, God spoke the world into existence. The “Word” is Jesus. Therefore, when Genesis says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), it is saying the Jesus’ power created everything. “For by him were all things created, that are heaven, and that are in earth…” (Colossians 1:16).

Jesus knew each of us before we were formed in the womb. Since Jesus is the beginning and the end, he made all, and he knows all, it would seem that he would know everything about us. In book of Psalms, David writes, “O’ Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me” (Psalms 139:1). David is saying; Lord, you know everything there is to know about me. You know me inside and out. David continues by saying, not only do you know everything about me; you are the one who made me. Isn’t great to know that God knows us, and he made us. He is the “manufacture” of all of us.

When we have a problem, we should go back to the manufacture. Think about it, when we have problems with our vehicles we go to a mechanic. For example, I took my Dodge Ram truck to the mechanic when the check engine light came on. The mechanic was able to determine what the problem was and how to fix it. As I went to the mechanic, we should go to Jesus in prayer. He knows all about our problem and he is able and willing to fix the problem. God is the manufactory of all of us.

Inspiring Family Stories That Uplift Your Spirit

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Thoughts

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Stay Vigilant: Guarding Against Subtle Temptations
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). Look at the loins in the wild. They never go after the big strong animals or even the baby animals that are in the middle of the large herd. They try to separate the weak sickly animals from the herd or get a baby off by itself. It does not even have to be very far from the group. It only has to get a few feet from safety then the loin is able to sneak in when no one is looking and take the baby or sick animal. Many times, we think that the devil is out to tempt us with big things. However, that is not what he does. Just like with the animals in the wild, he tries to make you think that going just a couple of feet away from safety is ok. Remember Jesus says that it is the little foxes that spoil a whole vineyard. The big things you can normally see and recognize from a mile away. The little things are not so easy to see or recognize. However, this is why God says “… be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (I Peter 4:7). This means that you are supposed to stay alert, be mindful, watch out, and pray. Someone who is not sober has problems walking, talking, and thinking. Jesus wants us to be able to think. He gave us a brain so as we can read and think about his word. He wants us to pray for many reasons. One reason is because he can know things that we do not know. He knows where the loin is hiding and what we need to do in order to stay safe. Jesus knows what little thing will pull us away from safety, therefore he wants us to pay attention to the warning signs that he gives us.

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