Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 23, 2014
“I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:48-51
The human soul hungers for food that comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. There are other competing condiments from the culture, but only Christ can give life on earth and for eternity. His bread is baked in the oven of brokenness and comes out hot and satisfying. Man’s manna leads only to death, but the Lord’s nourishment is forever.
Why do we waste time feeding at the trough of distrust when our Savior has prepared a feast for the faithful? A soul shrivels for lack of attention, but is satisfied with eternal sustenance. Like a luscious grape feeds from the life-giving vine, so we stay connected to Christ—for His nutrients are not of this world. The Lord gives life.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b).
Graves are full of men and women who neglected their spiritual diet and now have nothing to enjoy forever. But a soul that has been properly nourished will flourish. Thus, in prayer and solitude your soul can be a partaker in heaven’s perfect portions. Christ’s righteous receipts are available for all His children to enjoy. Abundant life is for the faith-hearted and it comes from feeding at the banquet table prepared by Jesus.
Your crisis of faith is an opportunity for the Lord to take what you have and multiply it for His glory—so feed on the bread of hope. Your health issue has slowed you down to consider the Bible—so feed on the bread of truth. Your financial mishap has caused you to question your value—so feed on the bread of humility. Your pain and hurt has grown into resentment and bitterness—so feed on the bread of forgiveness. God’s bread gratifies.
Indeed, your soul smells the fresh baked bread of Jesus—its delicious aroma is like homemade bread right out of the oven. Spread your heavenly buttermilk biscuit with some butter of belief—add some jelly of joy and oh how tasty is your Lord’s love, acceptance and holiness. God’s gravy of goodness with some sausage of salvation is satisfying soul food!
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:2-3).
How can I regularly feed my soul with bread from heaven? What is my spiritual diet?
Related Readings: Exodus 16:4; Isaiah 55:1; Psalm 34:8; 1 Corinthians 11:26
Post/Tweet today: Graves are full of men and women who neglected their spiritual diet and now have nothing to enjoy forever. #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: Skit Guys, 5 minute prayer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmL_GTKU2lE
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