I'm enjoying this season of ministry with BSF Gospel of John, SALT, Alpha at MNTC Portland with family. I've enjoyed talking with friends about struggles and insurmountable situations. We pray about it and see God make miraculous provisions. This week we're studying John 6:22-40 where Jesus gives the first of seven "I am" statements.
I am the …
- Bread of Life (or Living Bread), John 6:35, 48, 51
- Light of the World, John 8:12; 9:5
- Gate (or Door) for the Sheep, John 10:7, 9
- Good Shepherd, John 10:11, 14
- Resurrection and the Life, John 11:25
- Way, the Truth, and the Life, John 14:6
- Vine, John 15:1, 5
Treasure from the past:
- Crowds don't understand Jesus is the Bread of Life
- Jesus the Bread from Heaven, offered to all offensive to most
- Humbly Grateful Or Grumbly Hateful
I'm convicted this year to "leave my jar behind" as the woman at the well did. John 3:28-29: The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?”
How long will I struggle with trauma and attitudes of the past? Thirty-eight years ago I was 11 years old and first introduced to porn. I was talking with a friend this week about how alcohol dulls our minds and can lead us into temptations. Sometime we need to let go of some things to help us break free from other things. And sometimes we just need ears that hear Jesus and a heart that understands.
John 5:5-6,8-9 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”...Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”
Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath,
It really is that simple. Would you like to get well? We all have excuses but the command from Jesus is to STAND UP. We see this further illustrated in Ephesians, which tells us we have been given every spiritual blessing in order to STAND.
Eph 1:3, 6:11,13-14
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ...Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil...Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
This Friday at Alpha we're learning "How can I resist evil?", I love how God brings two ministry initiatives together. Praise the Lord.
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