Pray Network Forum

(It has been 4 weeks since I posted one of these stories based upon the signs of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John. This story is actually a continuation of a supposed gathering of the disciples who were at table when Jesus first instituted the Lord’s Supper, now a full year later.)

We sat together for a while after we had eaten, all of us reluctant to leave the fellowship. Thomas spoke up.

“I’ve been thinking about those men who quarreled with Jesus the day after He fed the multitude. They all would have said with force that they believed in Jesus. But Jesus knows our hearts. He knew they didn’t really believe. Their faith was in what they wanted. They only believed in Jesus as long as they thought they could control Him. It desturbed them when He said He was the Son of God. He was more than someone they could use to get whatever they wanted.

Philip spoke up. “I suppose the same was true of Judas. I for one never saw that he was about to betray Jesus. But Jesus knew.”

James (the younger) said, “When Jesus gave us the power to heal and cast out demons, he didn’t exclude Judas. I partnered with him when we went from town to town. Judas did everything Jesus told us to do. That included miracles that I hardly had enough faith to attempt. 

Andrew said, “I remember Judas questioning some things Jesus did, but I was questioning too. He once said he wondered how Jesus came from heaven if his parents still lived in Nazareth. But he immediately said, even though we didn’t understand many things, he knew we could trust Jesus.

Matthew said, “When all the others had abandoned Jesus, as John reminded us tonight, Judas stayed with us. He seemed to be quite as stirred as I when Peter said to the Lord, ‘You have the words of eternal life. And we know and believe that you are the Holy One of God.’”

Peter nodded and said, “Of course, Jesus often warned us that one of us was going to betray him. I think Judas must have told himself that if Jesus really knew that he was the betrayer, He would have sent him away. I certainly would have. For that matter, even though I declared then that we believed, I may have been the weakest of all. On the night of the supper he told me I would deny him. And even after I did, he brought me back.”

Thomas said, “All of us wondered why Jesus did not send us away, me most of all in the end.”

John said, “His clearest word about Judas was on the night of the supper. But even though I was leaning on Jesus, I didn’t understand what He was saying. In fact, when He said it was the one sharing the plate with Him, I was afraid it was me. I do think He was warning all of us that our faith was weak.”

Peter said, “I think Judas may have understood on that night. By then he must have thought he had to go through with it. Of course the devil had him by then. This reminds me that Jesus clearly told us that we need God working in us to believe. We cannot do it on our own. I suppose God had to be working in us from before we were born, for any of us to trust Him.

The idea for this story came from John 6:60-71.

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I watch a lot of college football.  I've seen all the bowl games, even the ones that no one has heard of.  In one of those games, I saw a commercial that really intrigued me.  It pictured a "first date" meet-up between Satan and 2020 (personified as a woman), and then the development of a relationship between them. 

It's unlikely that the producers of the commercial have any idea about spiritual warfare, but the reference brought to my mind the fact that 2020 was indeed a year of real spiritual warfare.  Any time we see evil at work - and we saw plenty of it last year - we can be sure that spiritual battles are being fought.  And we can also be certain that God will bring good out of it, just as he did in Joseph's life.  So here are a few thought questions to help us analyze our spiritual growth and health in 2020.

The year brought with it "lockdowns" like we've never seen, and with that a level of isolation we've never experienced.  So…..

• How have we used the time to deepen our personal relationships with God?
• With the increase in time spent at home, how intentional have we been about developing family relationships and even leading our families spiritually?
• Given the lack of commuting and travel, have we taken advantage of opportunities to know and serve our neighbors?
• Given both the challenges and opportunities financially, how has our stewardship reflected our walk with God?  (Matthew 6:21)

We've seen increasing levels of division along racial, political, and religious lines.  So…..

• How have we taken advantage of opportunities to be peacemakers? (Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18)
• How have we carried out the ministry of reconciliation? (2 Corinthians 5:18)
• How have we been an answer to Jesus' prayer that his people would live in unity?

The increase in political division has gotten to the point where even civil conversation is now the exception, and differing ideas are banned in our key social media outlets.  So…..

• How faithfully have we been in prayer for our leaders - of both parties - and for the direction of our country? (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
• To what extent have our own beliefs and priorities been shaped by politics vs. setting our minds and hearts on things above? (Col. 3:1-2)

Around the world, Christians are suffering disproportionately.  From attacks by Islamic extremist groups in North Africa to discrimination in food distribution in countries like India, the church is under attack in many places. At the same time, God is opening doors of opportunities for believers to serve their neighbors and communities that were not open previously.  So….

• How faithful have we been in praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world? (Hebrews 13:3)
• How have we prayed for God to open new doors for the Gospel? (Colossians 4:3)

All of these things (and more) are important because, frankly, we may have flipped a page on the calendar but we have not yet turned the page on all these spiritual battles.  None of these key situations has changed significantly with the dawn of 2021.  As a result, we should expect the same challenges - and opportunities - this year as we saw last year. 

God will be faithful to his people because that's his nature; but how faithful will we be to Him in the spiritual battles of this coming year?

In John 7:25 Jesus said,

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement.”

I am not addressing these remarks to everyone. But some of you will allow God to lead you deeper into His holiness.

• Holy thinking begins by discerning your own heart.

We all need to allow God to show us our hearts to discern the vulnerability and flaws hiding there. In Psalm 139 David Prayed,

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

    Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me,

    and lead me in the way everlasting!

What words have you spoken, what opinions have you held, or attitudes have you indulged that are false or in any way ungodly? Holiness demands repentance. The Epistle of James warns against being the kind of person who looks into a mirror and forgets what you saw without washing your face or combing your hair. This may include admitting, with a little private irony, weaknesses in your own positions. If you cannot see them, you have not examined yourself closely enough.

• This has to include examining your desires and motives.

Do you believe something because it is right or because it is comfortable? Do you think something is right because it benefits you? Does your opinion make you popular with your friends? Holiness seeks to please God and God alone. Jesus was clear about this. In John 7 He said His teaching was not His own but His Father’s. Verse 18 says,

“Anyone who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; 

but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, 

and in him there is no falsehood.”

• Holy thinking calls us to examine our influences.

This must go deeper than searching for excuses for people who influence your thinking. All of these things that I am listing require supernatural help. They must be bathed in and directed by prayer. One of the most difficult things here is discerning if what you read or hear or have seen in any media is right and true. This will require constant prayer and the struggle of discernment. You will have to wrestle with these things in your heart. 

Let me remind you of something emphasized in John 6 and 7. Jesus was saying he had come from heaven. Some people said he couldn’t have come from heaven. They knew his parents. Others pointed out that he came from Galilee, and the Christ was to have been born in Bethlehem. You may know scriptures that answer these and other questions. But few people listening to him had any means of answering them. Those who believed had to say, in effect, that even though they could not answer all their questions, no one could do the miracles he did if he had not come from God. Jesus gave us a promise that will help in John 7:17.

 “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will,  

he will know whether the teaching is from God

or whether I am speaking on my own authority.”

Do you long for His will?

• We must also consider the thinking of those who disagree with us.

This actually relates to examining our influences. In this world of polarizations, it is easy to be influenced by reaction, often over reaction, to those we do not agree with. It can be godly and sometimes persuasive to search for points of agreement between you and someone with whom you disagree. Can you see their point of view? Can you find areas where you can cooperate with them?

As with last week’s post, I am not listing access to my books or other blogs.

LOVE CONQUERS ALL

Love refuses to stop until It’s finished.

by Robert Loggins

During this COVID-19 season, God’s church is His divine instrument empowered to eradicate division in our nation.  It is my prayer that God will send revival through the heart of His bride, the church.  That is why the Apostle Paul writes. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long...” (Rom. 8:35-ff., NIV).

Love defeated seven of the deadliest of enemies known to mankind: (1) Tribulation, (2) Distress, (3) Persecution, (4) Famine, (5) Nakedness, (6) Peril, and (7) the Sword.  These are seven deadly enemies of God.  They enjoy running together.  They support each other.  They seek to help each other out in that when one can’t take a soul under, they team up on the soul of a man or a woman or a boy or a girl.  They love working together.  They know if they are divided, they will lose a great amount of their collective power.  They are bold and ugly.  However, my sister, Joan saw these enemies as opportunities to demonstrate the love of God.  Her love for God defeated all seven of these deadly enemies.  Joan was the oldest daughter of a godly pastor.  She witnessed each of these enemies attempting to crush her father, mother, and immediate family.  However, Joan was taught that the seven enemies of her faith provided a unique opportunity of growth. 

In the same way, like my sister, Joan, God allows these seven enemies to provide us with opportunities of growth as well.  Growth in the Christian life is produced only during or after deep spiritual pain, suffering and heartaches.  Pain and suffering fuels the core virtues of the Believer. Love remains. Grace remains.  Peace remains, and joy never runs dry.  Love truly conquers all.  I have observed through the life of my sister, Joan, who challenged the seven most deadly enemies with a quiet inner peace.  

Remember this following the attack of one’s enemy, expect, and anticipate a blessing from on high.  A blessing demonstrative of God’s favor.  That’s easy.  The challenge comes when pain shows up.  That is why the Apostle Paul said, in Romans 8, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors.”  All means all.  We are more than conquers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Now, as we share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, let us never forget to share Christ’s love to every soul we encounter in the marketplace.  God’s love conquers all things.

A SIMPLE PRAYER:

Love is the most excellent way.  Father, this is my hope. Lord, I can’t say enough about what it means to experience that wonder working power of Your love.  Father, I know You are the lover of all mankind.  We often mess up, yet You love us.  We stumble and fall; yet You never give up on Your people.  I know, dear Jesus, that it is authentic love. In Jesus’ Name – A-men!

RF Loggins Ministries

Cell: 573-301-7439

Email: drrobert@pastorloggins.com  

The Good News SOUL WINNING Daily Devotional Manual, by Robert F. Loggins, Sr.

ISBN: 9-780979-789908

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement.”

John 7:25

I am struck by the rendition of Philippians 4:5 in the e.s.v. It reads, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.” Good reasoning is a spiritual discipline. In the early centuries of Christianity the church grew rapidly partly because of our fearless compassion shown in the plagues that swept the cities of Europe and the east. Now when our world is being ripped apart with strong and dangerous delusions, I pray we may touch hearts around us with our reasonable words and lives.

Make no mistake about it. This is a matter for serious and urgent prayer. I intend to give you some biblical reasoning in relation to this subject, but any effort in this direction will require God’s people to pray as we have begun to pray for many things in our day.

• This needs to be a matter of prayer because the need for right judgment is so serious.

Our faithfulness to God depends on our godly perspective of the world around us. Many things that we see happening can be alarming. I referred to Philippians 4. The k.j.v. renders the word translated “reasonableness” in verse 5 as “moderation.” We are living in days of intransigent extremes and hateful perspectives. We can be reasonable because the Lord is near. The passage continues, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Our witness to the world will depend on our reasonableness being known to everyone around us. This must be a matter of earnest prayer.

• This needs to be a matter of prayer because right judgment is difficult.

The confusion around us, like many things we are seeing today, was foretold in Scripture. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 says, “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false.’”

God is sending “strong delusion” as righteous wrath upon our world. We must pray lest we be swept up in these things. And like the compassion shown by the early church, which we will also need in full measure, our witness to the world must reflect wise discernment.

• This needs to be a matter of prayer because right judgment is spiritual.

In a warning that relates to this Jesus said in Matthew 24:24,

“For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”

Right judgement in our lives must be a matter of prayer because it is developed from a vervent relationship with Christ.

I will write more about this next week. I am praying for wisdom for you and for myself in these days.

For several reasons I am not listing access to my books or other blogs here.

Times have changed. People are staying home from church services in record numbers – and blaming the COVID virus. History has shown when we are forced by circumstances to change, we eventually get comfortable with the change, and even prefer the new methods to the old. John Cage, an American composer, artist, and philosopher, confessed, “I can’t understand why people are frightened by new ideas. I’m frightened of old ones.” Most churches I know have recovered approximately half of their pre-pandemic attendance, while experiencing positive numbers of online viewers. The fear is that folks have become so comfortable worshipping at home, in their pajamas, seated in their recliner, sipping their coffee that they will not choose to return to personal worship attendance. If that happens, churches will need new ideas. Ralph Waldo Emerson, wrote, “Wise men put their trust in ideas and not in circumstances.” What will the post-pandemic church look like? Most will need to learn how to do online worship with greater excellence. We may need to train telephone and media counselors to deal with online responses during the worship service and especially during the response time. Some facilities may need to be reconfigured. More emphasis on home groups could be needed. A study of effective media ministry ideas could be time well spent. I once taught a Seminary course entitled, “The Use of Media in Evangelism,” but it was an elective course and few students saw the need to register for it. Seminaries and Bible Colleges may need to reinvent that course or one similar to it, perhaps make it a requirement. The future could be very different from the past. We’ll need to pray our way through it. Which reminds me that according to my research for America’s National Prayer Committee, approximately 95% of Seminaries and Bible Colleges do not have a separate course on prayer in their curriculum. It’s time to add such. Only then will we be able to understand Paul’s wish for young Timothy, “May the Lord give you understanding in all things” (2 Timothy 2:7).

We gathered again in the upper room where we had celebrated the Passover on that last night before our Lord was crucified. This had been a very exciting year. It began with the greatest tragedy we had ever experienced. That led to the most thrilling event in history. Jesus was raised from the dead! Everything in us and everything in the world was changed by those events. The church in Jerusalem continues to multiply despite severe opposition. However, most of us are being sent by the Spirit to other places. Some have gone beyond the borders of Israel. Jesus told us many times what he concluded as He ascended into the heavens. By the Spirit we are to take the good news to all the earth. 

Jesus gave us what we are calling His supper at the Passover. He told us to remember Him with the Supper as we had kept the Passover. We have begun to celebrate it in our love feasts. But this is the first Passover after the cross. And we thought it was appropriate to celebrate it in the upper room where Jesus first gave us this wonderful reminder. 

I began by saying, “We have gathered here tonight to remember that last supper with our Lord. We welcome you ladies and family members, the mother, sisters and brothers of our Lord, and of course, Matthias who has taken the place of Judas.” Peter then set the bread and the cup of wine before us. 

He began by holding up the bread and saying, “Jesus said, ‘This is my body given for you.’”

Then I said, “I think all of you remember when Jesus fed the multitude the first time on the far side of the sea. Some men who thought food for our stomachs was what Jesus came to give said to Him, ‘Moses gave us bread from heaven as a sign in the wilderness.’ Jesus answered, ‘Moses did not give you the bread from Heaven. My Father gives you the true heavenly bread. The bread of life is the one the Father has sent to give life to the world. Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the bread of life given for the life of the world. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and died. Whoever eats this bread will never die. Whoever believes in me has eternal life. And I will raise him up on the last day.’ 

‘The bread  that I give for the life of the world is my flesh. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.’ When we take this bread and drink this cup we remind ourselves that we are nourished to eternal life through the sacrifice of Jesus. We feed on His flesh and drink His blood. He said, ‘My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. The one who feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me. And I abide in that person. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.’”

Then Peter took the cup saying, “Jesus said, ‘This is my blood given for you.’” He passed the cup among us and we showed our faith in Him as we took the supper together. Finally Peter said, “Jesus said, ‘For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.’”

This story is drawn from words spoken in John 6:35-59.

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http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com/

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

WRITING PRAYERFULLY

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I love the miraculous appearance of the Angel of The Lord in Luke 2:8-14.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 

“Glory to God in the highest,

    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

The angel still shocks me out of the ordinary pursuits and problems of life with good news of great joy! 

He brings to us a message of Personal joy. “Unto you is born a Savior.” The angel could have spoken to theologians or historians. He could have said to all mankind. He could have said to men and women and children. He could have said, “to every language, people, and culture to the end of time.” But to a hand full of unknown shepherds and to me he said, “Unto You.”

He brings to us a message of Present joy. The angel did not say “Unto you is one who will become a savior.” Nor did he say, “One who is and has always been savior.” He said, “Unto you is born This day.” I have known many people who have said, “I used to be religious.” or “I want to be religious.” or even, “Someday I will listen to God speaking to me.” He speaks to us today.

And he brings us a message of Wonderful joy! This is not government aid. The angel did not introduce a self-help book. He announced a Savior who is indeed Christ the Lord!”

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com/

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

Website

http://daveswatch.com/

YouTube

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Amazon Author Central page.

The Kindle edition of my recently published novel, Ears To Hear, will be offered free on Amazon.com for 5 days beginning Christmas day.

The Christmas tree, the most significant symbol of Christmas, is an evergreen tree, representing life. The custom of erecting a Christmas tree is historically traced to the 15th century. “The tree was traditionally decorated with edibles such as apples, nuts, or other foods. In the 18th century, it began to be illuminated by candles, which were ultimately replaced by Christmas lights after the advent of electrification. Today, there are many traditional ornaments, such as garland, tinsel, and candy canes. An angel or star might be placed at the top of the tree to represent angel Gabriel or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity. [1]

The branches on the evergreen tree remind us of the many roles we have in our lives, such as parenting, grandparenting, etc. They also remind us of all the relationships we have with our family, friends, neighbors, careers, hobbies, activities, sports, etc. As we submit each of these branches to God, He will adorn them with ornaments, as He develops our character, with the fruit of the Spirit. 

Let’s look at the ornaments as representing the fruit of the Spirit. If we accept God’s unconditional LOVE in our hearts, allowing His love to flow through us to others, it will give us JOY. Our hearts will be full of joy amidst the daily challenges in our lives because “The joy of the Lord will be our strength.”  When we experience the joy of the Lord as our strength, we will have peace. PEACE is calmness in our hearts amidst the challenges we face, extending through our lives to others. After our adorning with love, joy, and peace will empower us with PATIENCE, an attitude that does not lose hope for others even if they irritate or hurt us. KINDNESS expressed with our words and deeds to a sad or lonely heart maybe their connection for Jesus. Then GOODNESS will flow into good works from our kind heart, reflecting the character of God attracting others to Jesus. 

Another ornament placed on the tree is FAITHFULNESS. Just as God is faithful to us, it is vital that we, too, are dependable and trustworthy at all times. Faithfulness brings us to GENTLENESS, an ability to be pleasant, composed, and controlled in the daily challenges of life. The last ornament we will place on the tree is SELF-CONTROL, which adorns our lives with the character of strength to restrain us from doing wrong. We cannot have self-control without all the other ornaments.

Then we will wrap the tree with a garland of God’s righteousness and place the star on the top directing people to Jesus. We will plug in the lights illuminating the tree representing Jesus the light of the world, a symbol of hope. Just as we have beautiful Christmas trees in our homes, our lives will be beautiful when adorned with the fruit of the Spirit. 

This year let’s give our grandchildren a spiritual application of the Christmas tree representing everlasting life adorned with the ornaments of the fruit of the Spirit, wrapped with the garland of God’s love, the star directing others to Jesus, and shining as lights in a dark world. 

Pray that your grandchildren will stand as a symbol of hope in a dark world adorned in the strength and beauty of the fruit of the Spirit like the beautiful Christmas tree.

The greatest and most lasting Christmas gift you can give your grandchildren is the gift of a praying grandparent.

By Lillian Penner, Prayer Director for Christian 
Grandparenting Network, pennerlp@gmail.com

We were amazed when we saw Jesus heal the sick. We decided then to become his disciples. We led a multitude that grew larger at every village along the sea until we came to where Jesus had gone to the far side of the sea with some of his disciples. He amazed us even more by feeding everyone there with what looked to us like a little boy’s lunch. We wanted to make him king. But we hardly had time to tell him of our devotion when he went back up the mountain alone. Soon his closest disciples left in their boat, and Jesus was not with them. 

Several of us lit a bonfire and kept watch through the night, but we never saw Jesus. In the morning we were ready to eat again. We sent a man up the mountain to look for him. He said he saw where Jesus had been, but Jesus was not there. We were still puzzled over where he could have gone when a boat from Tiberius landed near where Jesus had blessed the bread and fish to feed everyone. We couldn't find Jesus, and we knew his disciples weren't there. Several people climbed into that boat. Other boats soon came along. More of us boarded them and headed back across to Capernaum. Looking for him in town seemed futile to me. I was tired and wanted to go home. But several men insisted that we go on hunting for him. Sure enough we found him in the synagogue. We interrupted his teaching to ask how he had come there. 

He said, “You are not seeking me because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill and were satisfied. Do not live for the bread that will perish. Seek the bread that will endure to eternal life which only the son of man can give you. The signs that you see are the Father's seal upon him.” 

We thought about this for a few minutes. Then I asked, “What must we be doing to do the works God demands?”

Jesus answered, “The work of God is to believe in the one whom He has sent.”

One of us asked, “What mighty work will you do that we may see and believe in you. Our fathers ate manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” This didn’t make sense to me. We had seen amazing signs. But we had not eaten since the day before, and they thought this was a fairly persuasive argument for him to feed us.

Jesus answered. “I am telling you the absolute truth. Moses did not give you bread from heaven. My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. The bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 

The man said to him, “Sir, always give us this bread.” Others of us didn’t think Jesus was talking about food for our stomachs.

Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life—whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But you have seen and still do not believe.

“I did not come from Heaven to do my own will, but the will of the One who sent me. And it is His will, that I not lose any of those who come to me. It is my Father’s will that everyone who looks on the Son and believes should have eternal life. I will raise that person up on the last day.”

Well, many people complained about this. Some of them said, “This is Jesus the son of Joseph. We know his father and mother. How can he say that he came down from heaven?” I didn’t know how to answer this. But I had seen amazing miracles at his hand. I didn’t think Jesus answered them very well. 

He said, “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to me. I will raise him up on the last day. Not that anyone has seen the Father except he who came from the Father. He has, of course, seen him.'” This was offensive. He didn't have to say we had never heard from God, although, I suppose we had not.

Then he said, “I am telling you the truth, and you had better pay attention. Whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven. Whoever eats it will never die. I am the bread of life. This bread that I give for the life of the world is my own flesh.”

The others answered, “How can he give us his flesh to eat?” I was still troubled because of the miracles he had done in our presence. But I did not know what to say to this.

Jesus said, “I will dwell in whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks in my blood, and that person will live in me.”

Most of the others were saying this was too hard to accept. They decided that they could not follow him any more. And what could I say? If he said things like this,.we would never again gather a crowd to make him king. So I left with the others. 

This story was drawn from John 6:22-65.

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com/

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

WRITING PRAYERFULLY

Website

http://daveswatch.com/

YouTube

https://goo.gl/PyzU

Amazon Author Central page.

 As I was looking at the forlorn misshapen tree standing in the snow on the cover of a book, I was reading last week, I was reminded of the Christmas tree we had at my house when I was a child.  

When I was six years old, my parents had very little money to spend at Christmas. In order for my parents to have enough money to buy a present for me, they decided to cut a branch from our juniper tree in the yard for our Christmas tree. I remember at the time, I thought it was ugly, straggly, and misshapen and I was disappointed. I wished they would buy a tree from a Christmas tree lot in town like other families. 

However, I recently found a picture taken that year with me standing by the branch (tree). After we had decorated it with a garland made of popcorn and cranberries, hung a few ornaments, and silver tinsel; the tree did not look too bad.  Remember when the silver tinsel was popular?

Now when I remember what the straggly juniper branch looked like and compare it to the beautifully, decorated shaped tree in my home I see it differently. I see the straggly forlorn branch as a person’s life without God or one depleted from nourishment and the beautifullyshaped tree in my home as a person’s life filled with God’s love, purpose, and decorated with ornaments representing the fruit of the Spirit.

God can take a straggly, forlorn life and transform it into a beautiful shaped fulfilled life. Jesus tells us in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”  He can change the straggly life into a beautiful new life, a flourishing life, filled with love, peace, and joy if we believe in him.   

Often, our lives can become damaged and appear like a straggly, forlorn tree, misshapen by the trials, challenges, and disappointments of life. However, our lives can be transformed by the renewing of our minds with His Word into flourishing lives. 

God promises that when we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, giving Him every area of our lives, we will take on a true and proper shape. We will become a flourishing tree pointing others to God. 

When you see a Christmas tree this year, I hope it reminds you of the new life we can have in Christ Jesus, everlasting life when we invite Him into our lives and trust Him with the challenges and disappointments of life. 

• Do you or any of your family members feel like a tree twisted, damaged, and made crooked by the fears, circumstances, difficulties, or sin in their lives?
• Do you or any of your family members feel all alone in this world?

God is waiting to give you and your family members' new life, nourishment, and fulfillment. 

• Ask God to show you, your family and friends areas that need to be humbly submitted to the Lord, laying down all before Him as the wise men did when they brought their gifts to baby Jesus.
• Ask God to help you, your family and friends to give the damaged, flawed, and misshapen areas of life to the Lord, resulting in flourishing beautiful God-shaped lives for Him.

This post was taken from the book Grandparenting with a Purpose available for purchase at http://www.grandparentingwithapurpose.com. at a discounted price of $15.00 including shipping. It will make an excellent gift for the grandparents in your family.

By Lillian Penner, Prayer Director for Christian Grandparenting Network

After feeding the multitude Jesus left us with the people while he went up the mountain to pray. At the end of the day we went down to the water. I steadied the boat while everyone got in. Releasing the line that was fixed loosely to a tree along the shore, I came aboard. At Simon's command, we set a course for Capernaum. Darkness fell, and a strong wind blew up. We took down the sails lest we capsize in the storm. We had to row against the waves. By the fourth watch we were less than halfway across the sea. A flash of lightning revealed a fearful specter. Someone was walking on the water and coming near us. We stopped all effort to row, frozen in terror. 

Then Jesus spoke over the roar of the wind. “I AM! Do not be afraid.” We all thought immediately of the words spoken to Moses from the burning bush. We would not have thought much about this had he said those words in a synagogue in town or even that day on the mountain. But the force of it was overwhelming seeing him walk on the storm tossed sea as if it were solid rock. We were now eager to bring him into our boat. He had hardly stepped onto the deck when the boat was no longer in the middle of the sea but at the docks near Capernaum. In the next few months he explained more than we ever dreamed about the meaning of the words “I AM.” He would soon say, “I am the bread of life,” “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” and other explanations of his divine identity and complete sufficiency for life and eternity. 

This story was taken from the account found in John 6;16-21 

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After the conflicts we had with the other Jews, Jesus took a group of us across the sea. He led us up a mountain, and sat down with us for a special time of teaching. The Passover was near, and we could not help thinking of Moses taking the elders up the mountain where God gave the law. 

Shortly after he had begun Jesus lifted his eyes and saw a huge multitude that had followed him around the sea. I stepped near the edge of the place where he was teaching and saw more people than I could believe. 

Jesus stepped up behind me. Putting his hand on my shoulder he said, “Philip where will we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing me, preparing to teach me a powerful lesson about depending on him to care for the needs of people. I was not one of the leaders in the group. I never had the insight of John or the courage to speak like Peter. But the least of us knew he loved us and that he had a purpose for each of us. I was no exception. 

I was still shaking my head at the size of the multitude. “200 denarii worth of bread would not be enough to feed all these people.” We couldn't guess how many there were. I could have said three or four hundred denarii worth of bread would not feed them all. But Andrew, bless his heart, came up with his hand on the head of a little boy. Even though Andrew was Simon Peter’s brother and half owner of the boat we came in, he was not one of the leaders either. 

He said, “This boy has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many.” I now suspect that the faith of Andrew was serious, but at the time what he said seemed funny to most of us. Judas laughed out loud. Jesus did not pay us any mind. 

He simply said, “Have the people sit down to eat.” The wet season was at its end, and there was a lot of grass along the sea. We started having the men sit down in groups of about 50, each man with his family. There were about a hundred groups of fifty or so men and their families. Who knows how many people there were altogether. Jesus stood where everyone could see and looking up to heaven blessed the bread and fish. Then he began to distribute food to the people. We went from group to group helping pass out bread and as much fish as anyone wanted. Time seemed to stand still as he fed the multitude. 

When we finished and had eaten a bite or two ourselves he told us to start gathering up the leftover pieces of bread so nothing would be lost. I didn't understand much of what was happening at the time, but I have never forgotten that a miracle of Jesus is precious. It is crucial that we not waste the fruit of the signs he continues to perform in our lives. We actually gathered twelve large baskets of bread from the five barley loaves Jesus had broken to multiply. We were not the only ones to recognize this magnificent sign of his majesty. 

Jesus pointed to a group of men whispering together. “They are getting ready to come and take me by force to make me king. I am going to slip away. I want you to stay a while with the people and then start back across the sea. I will catch up with you later.” We watched him start up the mountain alone. Then we walked among the people, talking about what they had seen, praying with many. As evening came we went back down to the sea to return to Capernaum with a great deal to think about.

This story was drawn from John 6:1-15.

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After the conflicts we had with the other Jews, Jesus took a group of us across the sea. He led us up a mountain, and sat down with us for a special time of teaching. The Passover was near, and we could not help thinking of Moses taking the elders up the mountain where God gave the law. 

Shortly after he had begun Jesus lifted his eyes and saw a huge multitude that had followed him around the sea. I stepped near the edge of the place where he was teaching and saw more people than I could believe. 

Jesus stepped up behind me. Putting his hand on my shoulder he said, “Philip where will we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing me, preparing to teach me a powerful lesson about depending on him to care for the needs of people. I was not one of the leaders in the group. I never had the insight of John or the courage to speak like Peter. But the least of us knew he loved us and that he had a purpose for each of us. I was no exception. 

I was still shaking my head at the size of the multitude. “200 denarii worth of bread would not be enough to feed all these people.” We couldn't guess how many there were. I could have said three or four hundred denarii worth of bread would not feed them all. But Andrew, bless his heart, came up with his hand on the head of a little boy. Even though Andrew was Simon Peter’s brother and half owner of the boat we came in, he was not one of the leaders either. 

He said, “This boy has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many.” I now suspect that the faith of Andrew was serious, but at the time what he said seemed funny to most of us. Judas laughed out loud. Jesus did not pay us any mind. 

He simply said, “Have the people sit down to eat.” The wet season was at its end, and there was a lot of grass along the sea. We started having the men sit down in groups of about 50, each man with his family. There were about a hundred groups of fifty or so men and their families. Who knows how many people there were altogether. Jesus stood where everyone could see and looking up to heaven blessed the bread and fish. Then he began to distribute food to the people. We went from group to group helping pass out bread and as much fish as anyone wanted. Time seemed to stand still as he fed the multitude. 

When we finished and had eaten a bite or two ourselves he told us to start gathering up the leftover pieces of bread so nothing would be lost. I didn't understand much of what was happening at the time, but I have never forgotten that a miracle of Jesus is precious. It is crucial that we not waste the fruit of the signs he continues to perform in our lives. We actually gathered twelve large baskets of bread from the five barley loaves Jesus had broken to multiply. We were not the only ones to recognize this magnificent sign of his majesty. 

Jesus pointed to a group of men whispering together. “They are getting ready to come and take me by force to make me king. I am going to slip away. I want you to stay a while with the people and then start back across the sea. I will catch up with you later.” We watched him start up the mountain alone. Then we walked among the people, talking about what they had seen, praying with many. As evening came we went back down to the sea to return to Capernaum with a great deal to think about.

This story was drawn from John 6:1-15.

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com/

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

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http://daveswatch.com/

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#ItSeemsToMe...

"God save everyone" is a well intended prayer that is guaranteed not to be answered. 

This is how God loved the world - God gave his one-and-only (Jesus) to die for everyone. Anyone who believes will be saved.

My "God save everyone" prayer is a fine sentiment but unbiblical. It makes us feel like a good Christian but God has already provided salvation to all  ("The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people." Titus 2:11). Individuals must believe. God will not respond to such a prayer, as wonderful as it would be if Go did, simply because we are too busy to take the time to interact with the Spirit to discern why the Lord has prompted us to pray.

• Ask - "Why are you reminding me about this person? Problem?
• Seek - the leading of the Spirit by listening before you begin listing your requests
• Knock - with strong faith when you are pointed in the right direction

A more biblical prayer would be to petition the Lord on behalf of a specific person: "God, reveal yourself and your salvation-love to ____." 

• Someone you have suddenly begun to think about
• A person you read about in a news story
• The person you are seeing in a video or on TV
• An individual you have noticed in a store (the Spirit may use their slow pace or their loud complaining to capture your attention)
• The character you are reading about in a book may remind you of a family member
• Someone you work with
• A golfing buddy
• Your neighbor
• A stranger that catches your eye while driving ...

Maybe this is what it means to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Maybe this is what the Spirit is teaching us about being prayerfully-alert in Ephesians 6:18:"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all God's people everywhere."

"God, you are unwilling that any should perish; your heart desire is to save everyone. Who may I have the privilege of praying for right now?"

#ReimaginePRAYER...

We had seen some mighty works done by Jesus. James and John and Andrew and I were the only ones to see Jesus fill a boat with fish from only one dip of a net. After that Jesus said we would fish for men, and we left our boats to follow him. Believe me, we told others about the miracle catch until they were tired of hearing us. We also saw Jesus turn water to wine. Most of the people at the wedding never knew what happened, but we did. He healed the official's son. That too was done in a way that most people didn’t know what happened. His fame had spread through Galilee. But up to now most of his mighty works were not widely known. All of us were excited to go to the feast in Jerusalem. He had demonstrated his power at a previous feast. Who knew what he might do at this one. Everyone would see and understand who Jesus was.

When we arrived we walked together around the city. That was always a treat for those of us who didn’t live there. And we had the sense that Jesus was looking for just the right person to heal. We were wondering what would make him known to the nation. Jesus had hinted that he only did what his heavenly Father told him to do. I understand now that he was looking for the person his Father wanted him to heal

We came to the pool of Bethesda near the sheep gate. Many people were there who needed to be healed. I’m not sure how the rumor got started, but people said an angel stirred the water from time to time. They believed the first person into the pool after the water was disturbed would be healed. The sick wanted to desperately believe it was all true. Occasionally someone would shout that the water was disturbed. Each one would try to be first to get into the pool. People who brought the infirm to the pool would help them into the water. From time to time someone would start shouting that he had been healed. But all I ever saw were quarrels over who was first or whether the water had actually been stirred. 

A big crowd there to see whatever Jesus did. There was a guy who had been there as long as anyone could remember. People said he had been coming there for nearly 40 years. Jesus went straight to him.

“Do you want to be healed?” Jesus asked. “Or have you given up on that altogether?”

The man answered. “I cannot be healed. I’m left here alone in the mornings. I don’t have anyone to help me into the pool when the water is stirred.”

“Stand up!” Jesus said “Take up your mat and walk.” And the man was healed immediately. He stood shakily and then grabbed his mat and almost ran away in front of the whole crowd. While the man had everyone’s attention, Jesus disappeared into the crowd. We were still standing there and saw the funniest thing. A Pharisee stopped the man before he got far. 

“This is the Sabbath,” he said. “It is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” A crowd gathered around evidently to help accuse the man of breaking the Sabbath. The Pharisee spoke with enough authority that the crowd who saw the man healed were cowed into silence. We may have been the only ones there who were trying to keep straight faces. Bartholomew laughed out loud. Could they not see what a great miracle had been done? The fellow answered them. “The man who healed me told me to pick up my mat and leave.”  

Someone in the crowd, probably another Pharisee, raged, “Who is this that dared tell you to break the Sabbath?” It seemed to us like a guard from Jericho trying to arrest Joshua for making too much noise with the trumpets. I suppose the Pharisees would have been even angrier if they realized how ridiculous they looked. After it was all over and we had found Jesus, we went with him into the temple. The man who was healed was there giving thanks.

Jesus approached him and said, “See, after all these years you are well. Stop sinning lest something worse happen to you.” Jesus evidently knew the man would immediately go tell the Pharisees. We followed him to them. They turned and attacked Jesus for abusing the Sabbath. 

Jesus said, “My Father is at work, so I am also working.” The Pharisees didn't understand that Jesus taught that it was his Father who worked miracles through him. But they did understand that Jesus was saying he was the Son of God. This became the primary reason they persecuted him. 

This story is taken from the 5th chapter of The Gospel of John.

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com/

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http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

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We had seen some mighty works done by Jesus. James and John and Andrew and I were the only ones to see Jesus fill a boat with fish from only one dip of a net. After that Jesus said we would fish for men, and we left our boats to follow him. Believe me, we told others about the miracle catch until they were tired of hearing us. We also saw Jesus turn water to wine. Most of the people at the wedding never knew what happened, but we did. He healed the official's son. That too was done in a way that most people didn’t know what happened. His fame had spread through Galilee. But up to now most of his mighty works were not widely known. All of us were excited to go to the feast in Jerusalem. He had demonstrated his power at a previous feast. Who knew what he might do at this one. Everyone would see and understand who Jesus was.

When we arrived we walked together around the city. That was always a treat for those of us who didn’t live there. And we had the sense that Jesus was looking for just the right person to heal. We were wondering what would make him known to the nation. Jesus had hinted that he only did what his heavenly Father told him to do. I understand now that he was looking for the person his Father wanted him to heal

We came to the pool of Bethesda near the sheep gate. Many people were there who needed to be healed. I’m not sure how the rumor got started, but people said an angel stirred the water from time to time. They believed the first person into the pool after the water was disturbed would be healed. The sick wanted to desperately believe it was all true. Occasionally someone would shout that the water was disturbed. Each one would try to be first to get into the pool. People who brought the infirm to the pool would help them into the water. From time to time someone would start shouting that he had been healed. But all I ever saw were quarrels over who was first or whether the water had actually been stirred. 

A big crowd there to see whatever Jesus did. There was a guy who had been there as long as anyone could remember. People said he had been coming there for nearly 40 years. Jesus went straight to him.

“Do you want to be healed?” Jesus asked. “Or have you given up on that altogether?”

The man answered. “I cannot be healed. I’m left here alone in the mornings. I don’t have anyone to help me into the pool when the water is stirred.”

“Stand up!” Jesus said “Take up your mat and walk.” And the man was healed immediately. He stood shakily and then grabbed his mat and almost ran away in front of the whole crowd. While the man had everyone’s attention, Jesus disappeared into the crowd. We were still standing there and saw the funniest thing. A Pharisee stopped the man before he got far. 

“This is the Sabbath,” he said. “It is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” A crowd gathered around evidently to help accuse the man of breaking the Sabbath. The Pharisee spoke with enough authority that the crowd who saw the man healed were cowed into silence. We may have been the only ones there who were trying to keep straight faces. Bartholomew laughed out loud. Could they not see what a great miracle had been done? The fellow answered them. “The man who healed me told me to pick up my mat and leave.”  

Someone in the crowd, probably another Pharisee, raged, “Who is this that dared tell you to break the Sabbath?” It seemed to us like a guard from Jericho trying to arrest Joshua for making too much noise with the trumpets. I suppose the Pharisees would have been even angrier if they realized how ridiculous they looked. After it was all over and we had found Jesus, we went with him into the temple. The man who was healed was there giving thanks.

Jesus approached him and said, “See, after all these years you are well. Stop sinning lest something worse happen to you.” Jesus evidently knew the man would immediately go tell the Pharisees. We followed him to them. They turned and attacked Jesus for abusing the Sabbath. 

Jesus said, “My Father is at work, so I am also working.” The Pharisees didn't understand that Jesus taught that it was his Father who worked miracles through him. But they did understand that Jesus was saying he was the Son of God. This became the primary reason they persecuted him. 

This story is taken from the 5th chapter of The Gospel of John.

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

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http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

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It's unclear if on that first Thanksgiving, the colonists and Native Americans ate turkey at their feast. More likely, they indulged in other interesting foods like lobster, and seal. What is certain is that a tradition developed that called for the U.S. President to declare Thanksgiving as a holiday anew each year, until Thomas Jefferson refused. He strongly believed in the separation of church and state. Thanksgiving involved prayer, and in his opinion, making it a holiday would violate the 1st Amendment. Fortunately, we no longer need a presidential announcement for Americans to observe Thanksgiving this year. It might well get lost in politics and pandemics. Hopefully, we will remember to pray a prayer of blessing, for even in these difficult times, we need to bless the Lord – for family, for food, for friends, for health, for memories. Thanks, and Thanksgiving go together. William Bradford, the first Governor of the Plymouth Colony, wrote of those first pilgrims, “Being thus arrived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean.” In the midst of yet another “furious” time, a COVID Thanksgiving, let us remember the words of the Psalmist, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:1-2).

We were camped on the Mount of Olives outside of Bethany on our way to the feast in Jerusalem. And even though the Pharisees had not yet unleashed their wrath on us, I was surprised when Jesus invited Peter, my brother John, and me to go with him to meet secretly with a Pharisee named Nicodemus. This man was actually a member of the Sanhedrin.

A storm was blowing up from the West and it had begun to rain when Nicodemus arrived. John met him at the door and took his cloak, shaking the rain off as Nicodemus stepped up to warm himself at the fire. I had been steeping some tea. He gladly accepted a cup as he sat down with Jesus. Jesus welcomed him, and Nicodemus greeted him respectfully.

After he had relaxed a little Nicodemus said, “Rabbi, we know that you must have come to us from God, for no one could do the signs that you do if God Himself were not with him.”

Peter, John and I were surprised that a Pharisee would treat anyone who was not a Pharisee as an equal. This man even recognized that Jesus had come from God. I suspect Nicodemus was surprised at how little Jesus was impressed. We were not surprised.

Jesus said, “I am telling you the truth, Nicodemus. You cannot see the kingdom of God unless you have been born again.” We had not heard Jesus say it this way, but we had learned from many others and even in our own experience that understanding what Jesus did and taught required a radical change of heart.

Nicodemus asked, “How can this happen? Can an old man enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time?” 

Jesus said, “You need to understand that unless one has been born through the water of physical birth and also of the Spirit, he can never enter the realm of the God. That which is born of flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said you must be born again.” As Jesus said this the wind lashed rain against the house. Jesus continued. “The wind blows where it wants. You hear its sound but you do not know where it has come from or where it is going. So it is with the purposes and direction of anyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus said, “How can this be”

Jesus marveled. “You are a teacher of Israel and yet you do not know how my father works in the lives of people. I am telling you the truth. We speak what we know and give testimony about what we have seen. And you still do not believe.”

This was the first time we had heard Jesus put things this way. And I don't know about Peter and John, but as he spoke I was just beginning to understand the difference Jesus was making in me. None of us is close to being like Jesus. This constantly reminds us how much we still sin. But we have changed a great deal. I suspect many people, possibly including this Pharisee, see the difference Jesus makes in people.

Jesus went on, “If you do not believe when I tell you how God works on earth, how can I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the son of man who came from heaven. As Moses lifted up the servant in the wilderness so must the son of man be lifted up that whoever believes in him would have eternal life.”

I am sure Nicodemus did not understand any more of this than we did at that time. We could not fully understand how much Jesus loved us, or what it would cost him to be lifted up. I know now that he was speaking of the cross. He was saying God loves the world so much that he gave his only son that whoever believes on him will never really die, but has eternal life. Jesus was not sent into the world to condemn us, but so that the world might be saved through him.

Jesus is the light that came into the world that we might truly see the signs of God. But people hate the light because our deeds are evil. Most of them run from the light lest their deeds be exposed. But those who believe the truth come to the light so everyone may see that God has brought about the change in them.

This story was taken from Nicodemus's meeting with Jesus recorded in John 3:1-21.

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