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South Fellowship Church

About Grace Hunter

Grace is married, has 4 children one of whom is now in heaven. She enjoys reading, crocheting, puzzles, baking and spending time with her granddaughter. She and her husband have attended South Fellowship Church since 2014. She and her husband Jeff enjoy singing in the choir, working in the nursery and helping with the South Food Bank.

Naomi’s Doubts

by Grace Hunter


Have you ever had a time in your life when you doubted God’s goodness? When circumstances or situations seemed to conspire against you in such a way that you could not possibly see a way out, or any way that a good outcome could result?

Naomi certainly found herself in this situation in the first chapter of the book of Ruth. She had been living in a foreign country. They had moved to Moab
because there was no food in Bethlehem, their home. First her husband died, then her two sons as well,  leaving Naomi with no means of financial support.
She had two young foreign daughters-in-law, no grandchildren and didn’t even want to be called by her name. Naomi means “pleasant”, but she asked to be called Mara, which means “bitter” -– a fitting description of her current emotional state.  “It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD’s hand has gone out against me”, Ruth 1:13b NIV.

Naomi said, “I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me”, Ruth 1:21 NIV. Did you see it? She was doubting God’s goodness in her life. Grief can do that. It can block our ability to see God and His goodness. Naomi doubted she would ever be full again. She doubted she would ever want to be called Naomi again, as she could not see – in the midst of her grief – that anything could be pleasant again.

However, Naomi and Ruth went back to Bethlehem  (which means “house of food”). “So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabitess,
her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning”, Ruth 1:22 NIV. Naomi returned to her homeland, to a place where her relatives lived, to the land of her God. The timing of their return provided an opportunity for Ruth to work, first gleaning the barley harvest and then gleaning the wheat harvest. Naomi began to see the kindness of Boaz and had hope that he could provide for the two women in a more permanent way. Chapter 4 shows how Boaz agreed to be their kinsman-redeemer; he then married Ruth as well. After the couple had a son, the women of Bethlehem said to Naomi, “Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth. Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son.” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David”, Ruth 4:14b-17 NIV.

Naomi, who could not see the goodness of God in her circumstances detailed in chapter 1 of Ruth, was full again in chapter 4. She had a family again, a grandson, and a home. What do we do with our doubts? Do we return to the God who can provide?  Do we go to our God with them? Do we search His word for answers?     

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Naomi’s Doubts2024-04-07T12:32:16-06:00

Dark = Fear + Grief Light = Presence + Freedom

by Grace Hunter

In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. John 1:4-9 NIV

But Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

“Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
 Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). John 20:11-16 NIV

  

John introduces several of his themes in the first 20 verses in the book of John. In John 1:4-9, He introduces Jesus as the light of the world, one of his main themes. Alex spoke on light this week and he used John 20:1-19 as his text. Mary Magdalene was grieving because Jesus — her light, her savior, her healer —
was crucified on Friday. Now, early on Sunday she couldn’t even find his body. John tells us she went to the grave early, when it was still dark. It can be difficult to sleep when grief is new and fresh. Perhaps she did not sleep well and that is why she went to the grave before dawn on Sunday morning.

Mary Magdalene encountered the risen Lord but did not recognize Him. She talked with Him but didn’t know who He was. Grief, darkness, fear can do the same thing — it can block our ability to see, hear, and feel the presence of God. Imagine a young child in the dark — it can be scary to children. But if a father or mother is there in the dark with the child, then fear probably is removed; the presence of the adult takes fear away.

When we are grieving in a difficult circumstance, in a dark place, we also can be consumed by fear: we can feel hopeless, we can be consumed by dark thoughts. The resurrection had occurred, but Mary Magdalene could not perceive it or access it when she did not recognize Jesus’ presence. Have you experienced this? David certainly did. Let’s look at Psalm 18.

I love you, O LORD, my strength.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
 He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.

The cords of death entangled me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.

In my distress I called to the LORD ;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears. Psalm 18:1-6 NIV

David describes a dark, fearful episode in his life. He is overwhelmed, scared, perhaps alone. But he brings it to God, he asks for God’s help Who provides refuge and deliverance for David. God is David’s refuge and safe place — just as a parent can be for a child in the dark. The Psalm continues to describe difficult circumstances and many ways that God enabled David to stand, fight and endure. Has God done this for you at a difficult place in your life? If you are there now, perhaps pray Psalm 18. Ask for God to make His presence known to you in a way you can feel it, know it and experience it, as David did. Be encouraged;
once Mary heard her name spoken by the risen Jesus, she knew she was in the presence of her Lord, and it made all the difference. God’s presence with you in your circumstances can make the difference for you too. 

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Dark = Fear + Grief Light = Presence + Freedom2024-04-07T22:34:57-06:00

Fishing Jesus’ Way

by Grace Hunter

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. John 21:1-6 NIV 

We are going to use our imaginations this week in our devotionals. Let’s picture this scene, Peter along with Thomas, Nathanael, James, John and two more of Jesus’ disciples are near the Sea of Galilee at night. It has been some time; we don’t know how long, perhaps a week or two since His resurrection, that they have seen Jesus.

Peter decides, “I’m going out to fish”, John 21:3. Peter murmurs to himself, “I know how to fish, I’m going to do something, I’m going to do something to earn money or to get some food, I’m tired of waiting. I’m a man who needs to be doing something, not waiting for something to happen. I’m going fishing.” All the others decide to go with him, get into one boat, row out to the deep part of the Sea of Galilee, fish all night long, but manage not to catch anything –- not even one little fish. Peter and everyone in the boat are disappointed. Peter, James and John, fisherman, think to themselves, “We know how to do this; we did this for our living before we knew Jesus. We don’t know where he is right now and we don’t understand: Why can’t we catch anything? We did everything we know how to do, but we can’t find any fish tonight.”

Early in the morning, the sun is just starting to come over the horizon. As the men row their boat to shore, they see a man standing on shore, but they cannot see him clearly. “He [calls] out to them. ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’ ‘No’ they answered”, John 21:5, NIV.

The man called to Peter and the others in the boat, “friends”. None of them recognized him. But then he gives them an interesting direction to follow. “He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some’”,  John 21:6a.

Peter harkening back to a previous encounter: “I remember the last time this happened, Jesus, a man from Nazareth, a carpenter – not a fisherman – told us to put our net over into the water after another long disappointing night of fishing. Last time, we had so many fish in our net that it started to break. Ok, I’m game, we will put the net on the right side of the boat and see what happens.”

“When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish”,  John 21:6b, NIV. The others as well as Peter remembered the other time a man told them to fish in an unusual way. Each one is thinking, “the man on the shore must be Jesus”.  He called them friends. Jesus had called them “friends” right before he was arrested. Could it be? Hope is rising in each person’s heart. Jesus is on the shore!

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:12-17 NIV

Note. To access scripture links that don’t appear in the email version, read the web version in your browser.

Fishing Jesus’ Way2024-03-31T17:03:49-06:00

Scarcity or Abundance?

by Grace Hunter

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34 NIV


Isn’t it amazing to consider that the God of the universe, the creator of heaven and earth, is concerned with our thought life? Jesus talks about worry in some detail here in Matthew 6. Why do you think He did that? Could it be that when we worry, we show lack of faith in our heavenly Father to provide? Jesus said, “…O you of little faith”,  Matthew 6:30b. 

He calls us out. He proclaims worry to be a lack of faith in our all-powerful God to provide for our needs. There are many places we can look in the Old Testament to see how God has unlimited resources and has provided for His people. 

  • Psalm 50:10,  He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. 
  • Exodus 16:4, God gave the Israelites bread from heaven. 
  • I Kings 17:6, Ravens brought food to Elijah during a famine. 

There are many more examples. So because God is sovereign and He owns all the resources needed to supply our need for food and clothing, then why do we worry?

Perhaps it is because we forget how much He loves us, or we let our circumstances cloud our vision temporarily. Perhaps it is because we see many people in the world who do not have enough to eat, or safe water to drink, or clothes to wear, or a safe, warm and dry place to live. What do we do with that knowledge that many need necessities like clean water, enough nourishing food or a better home?

  • In Isaiah 58 true fasting and acceptable behavior for God’s people is described. “Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” Isaiah 58:7 NIV. 
  • Jesus also addresses the need to help those who need food, water and clothing in Matthew 25:31-46. 
  • Worrying about our needs or other’s needs will not help us or anyone else. Instead, we need to do as Peter says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you,” I Peter 5:7 NIV. 

Pray about it, give the worry to God, and leave it there. Then seek ways to share generously with those who have less than we have. Remember the God we serve; He has an abundance of resources, even if ours are limited. Even so, those of us who live in the western world all have money, time, talents and resources we can share with those around us who are in need.

Listen to this song “Hands of the Healer” by Brandon Heath who sings about leaving the worry with God, letting Him provide the answers, the solution, and the provision.  

 

Note. To access scripture links that don’t appear in the email version, read the web version in your browser.

Scarcity or Abundance?2024-03-23T18:09:26-06:00

Are You a Shrewd Manager?

by Grace Hunter

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV


Jesus’ teaching topic was money one-fifth of the time. It was obviously a high priority for him.  “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money,” Matthew 6:24 NIV. 


Sometimes it is helpful to look at the parallel passages in the other gospels to get insight into the meaning of any particular verse. In Luke 16:1-15, Jesus tells the parable of the shrewd manager. This is an interesting parable in which Jesus used several examples of cheaters and those engaged in unethical business practices to make a point about money, and being shrewd with the money we have. Jesus ended it with, “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money,” Luke 16:13 NIV. In this parable everyone was looking out for himself, was corrupt, and valued money and worldly security above all else.

Jesus is making the point in both Matthew 6:24 and in Luke 16:13, that we are to be shrewd with our money, with our talents, with our resources. The shrewd manager used the tools he had available to him to cause people to feel indebted to him, because he realized his job was gone and he was going to need help from other people in order to live. Jesus wants us to be shrewd with our resources — to use them for the Kingdom of God.  He wants us to be seeking ways to make eternal investments. Perhaps the questions we need to ask ourselves are, “how can I use my money, my time, my resources to further His kingdom?” What gifts do I have that I can share with others that could influence him or her to consider their eternity? Am I using my money and resources to spread the gospel in my neighborhood, in my country and in the world at large?


The Apostle Paul tells Timothy, 

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life,” I Timothy 6:17-19 NIV. 


If we are looking at money as means of security and safety, we will be disappointed. Jesus wants us to trust in him for our security and use our money for eternal, kingdom values.

 

Note. To access scripture links that don’t appear in the email version, read the web version in your browser.

Are You a Shrewd Manager?2024-03-16T12:38:42-06:00

God is Not a Vending Machine

by Grace Hunter


When you read the book of Job you encounter a common mindset: 

If bad things happen to me or my family, I must have broken God’s rules.
If I live by God’s rules, then good things will happen to me and my family. 

The problem with this philosophy is that it is simplistic, naïve and not a reality in Job’s life nor in mine, how about yours?

This week we are looking at fasting — both the right way and the wrong way. Isaiah said,

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.”  Isaiah 29:13 NIV.

Jesus quotes this verse in Matthew 15:8-9 when he was talking to a group of Pharisees. He makes it clear that God is concerned about the heart,
not rule-following for rule’s sake.


So, let’s take a look at chapter 58 of Isaiah. Isaiah declared to Israel what God thinks of how they are currently fasting. Keep in mind Isaiah 29:13 as we look at this chapter. Find a translation you like and read chapter 58 of Isaiah. Did you notice the many “if,  then” statements? How does God describe their current mode of fasting; and what does He think of it? Did you notice what God’s idea of true fasting is? Did it include more than just denying oneself of food for a meal or for a day? If we behave as a righteous person does: then God will protect, provide, guide, strengthen, and restore. How does this chapter end? How can we find our joy in the Lord?

There is a lot in this chapter; if taken the wrong way, we can end up just like Job’s counselors — thinking that if I just know the right rules and follow them, then God is obligated to bless me, to do what I want. The thing is, God is not a vending machine. He desires our hearts, He desires relationship with us, He desires us to trust in Him, in His love, in His goodness, in His plan for us. We live in a broken world and we are all sinners. God’s plan for us may allow anxiety, disease, death of loved ones, loss of jobs, the birth of a brain injured child, and other heart aches. It certainly did for Job and for me and my family. But, if we deny ourselves in order to draw closer to God — to revere Him — God sees us. He sees our hearts. If we trust in Him, even when our personal circumstances don’t make sense to us, then we are acting righteously. Let’s strive to cultivate the heart God desires, and then we will be able to act as a righteous person everyday as God desires us to, regardless of our circumstances.

Note. To access scripture links that don’t appear in the email version, read the web version in your browser.

God is Not a Vending Machine2024-03-09T11:46:25-07:00

The Forgiveness Sandwich

by Grace Hunter

 

Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

‘For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.’ Matthew 6:12,14-15 NIV


This section of the Lord’s prayer, also known as the disciple’s prayer, addresses forgiveness in verses 12, 14 and 15. But in between, we are told by Jesus to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one,” Matthew 6:13 NIV. Why do you think this is sandwiched between these verses on forgiveness? Especially in light of, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;” James 1:13 NIV.

I got to visit my kids in Ft. Collins this weekend as I was pondering this question. My son-in-law is a pastor of a small church in Longmont, and we enjoy discussing his upcoming sermons and my devotional writings. He suggested I look at his copy of John Stott’s book, Christian Counter-Culture. John Stott’s opinion is, “The sinner whose evil in the past has been forgiven, longs to be delivered from its tyranny in the future.” Perhaps this is one reason why this verse is in between these other verses focused on forgiveness. John Stott explains why we should pray the phrase “lead us not into temptation”. He says, “The probable answer is that the prayer is more that we may overcome temptation, than that we may avoid it.” (Stott, p. 150).

Carolyn Schmidt gave me this little book called Fifty-Seven Words That Change the World, by Darrell W. Johnson. It has many good insights into the Lord’s prayer, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to take a deeper dive into understanding the Lord’s prayer and into praying it more effectively. I like the way he paraphrases this verse.

“Our Father, we cannot stand up under very much pressure. We are not wise enough to recognize and then counter the work of the evil one. When you lead us to the test, when life itself brings us to the test, do not let the test become a temptation, but rescue us. Rescue us from the subtle strategies of the evil one, help us to trust you.” Fifty-Seven Words That Change the World, (Johnson, p. 98).

I want to end with the full “expanded” way that Darrell Johnson prays the Lord’s Prayer (p. 113). May it bless you and give you insights into praying the Lord’s Prayer for yourself and others.

Our Father,
very close at hand,
on the throne of the universe:

Be hallowed(!) your name,
on earth as it is in heaven;

Come(!) your kingdom,
on earth as it is in heaven;

Be done(!) your will
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day all we need to be your people.

Cancel our debts,
as we have cancelled the debts of our debtors.

And as you lead us to the test,
do not let the test become a temptation,
but rescue us from the twisting wiles of the evil-one.
(He wants us to think that you are not as good as Jesus says you are.)

All this, and more, you can do,
for yours is the kingdom,
and the power
and the glory.

Forever!
So be it.

              

 Note. To access scripture links that don’t appear in the email version, read the web version in your browser.

______________________________

Red Couch Theology Podcast

Sermon Conversations with Alex and Aaron

There’s only so much we can cover in a Sunday morning gathering!
Each week, you’re invited to tune into our LIVE podcast at 11 am on Thursdays – recorded (and sometimes prerecorded) for later, online viewing.

What can you expect? Pastors Alex, Aaron and the occasional guest, having a casual conversation diving deeper into ideas related to last Sunday’s teaching:


Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 6:13

“but if you do allow me down a path fraught with trials, please help me out the other side”

See also, 1 Corinthians 10:13


Questions may be sent through
https://redcouchtheology.com/  

Blog sites:

Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCWnNSTN-6XA7oYy6TBfS0LAxqxPvxVjH

Apple Podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guys-drinking-tea/id1616539767

The Forgiveness Sandwich2024-03-03T20:03:25-07:00

The Protocol for Forgiveness Matters

by Grace Hunter

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12 NIV

This week we focus on our individual and corporate need for forgiveness, as well as our individual and corporate need to forgive other people. The course of action in this verse is vital. This is a petition: it is an asking of God to forgive us of our sins, of our misdeeds, of our offenses done against God and against others. There are many Psalms that express petition in beautiful and expressive language. Look at David’s language in Psalm 51:

Have mercy on me, O God,
 according to your unfailing love;
 according to your great compassion
 blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity
 and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,
 and my sin is always before me. Psalm 51:1-3

Did you notice that He asks God for his personal forgiveness? David wrote this Psalm and prayed this prayer after committing adultery with Bathsheba and after committing the murder of her husband. David had definitely sinned against other people in this situation, but first he asks for forgiveness of God. He acknowledges that God alone can forgive our sins.  

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
 you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
 a broken and contrite heart,
 O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:16-17

In this section of Psalm 51, David’s humility is clearly expressed. We are not able to seek forgiveness from God or from anyone else if we do not first see that sin clearly in ourselves. But sin rarely only affects us. Usually at least one other person has been affected, hurt, or offended by our sinful actions. So, back to the order of Jesus’ prayer. Once we have asked for our own forgiveness, then we need to acknowledge and ask for forgiveness for “our” sins, those that have been committed by us as a family, as a city, as a nation, as a people.

You have set our iniquities before you,
 our secret sins in the light of your presence.

Relent, O LORD ! How long will it be?
 Have compassion on your servants.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
 that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
 establish the work of our hands for us-
 yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:8, 13-14, 17 NIV

Moses prayed for the Nation of Israel in Psalm 90. He acknowledged God as the one who can forgive, who can show compassion, and the one who can restore the relationship between God and His people, Israel.

Only after we have asked for forgiveness, are we able to see clearly, and are able to offer forgiveness to those who have hurt, offended or sinned against us.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV

 

Note. To access scripture links that don’t appear in the email version, read the web version in your browser.

The Protocol for Forgiveness Matters2024-02-24T18:48:55-07:00

Jesus is the Bread of Life

by Grace Hunter

Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11 NIV

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:27-29 NIV

As I read through John chapter 6, I see several themes. One of them is bread. John 6:1-15 relates the feeding of the 5000 with five barley loaves of bread and two fish. Starting in John 6:25, Jesus teaches using bread and manna as metaphors. Many in the crowd at the feeding of the 5000 wanted Jesus to explain the phenomenon of how he got to Capernaum, while others wanted Jesus to simply perform even more miracles and signs. But Jesus chose to use manna and bread to describe himself, to plainly describe God’s gift of manna, and to teach about eternal life.

Jesus made several profound “I” statements in this chapter. “I am the bread of life,” John 6:35a, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me,” John 6:38, “I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life,” John 6:47. 

Again Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world,” John 6:48-51 NIV.

Jesus called himself the bread of life, living bread and bread that has come down from heaven. He goes on to elaborate on what is required of us in order to obtain eternal life. The crowds were primarily interested in seeing more signs and wonders, but the Pharisees understood Jesus’ references to himself — calling himself the Son of God, and as having come from heaven.

I suggest you read through the whole chapter of John 6. Look for the many references to bread. Notice what Jesus calls himself and what He says He will do on behalf of those who believe in Him. Take note of how Jesus says God draws people to Himself. When Jesus instructed His disciples to pray: “Give us today our daily bread”, I believe He is talking about our daily need for Himself, for His teaching, for His influence in our lives, in our decisions, in our attitudes. As you read through John 6, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal to you what you need to see and understand in this passage today. Then thank Him for drawing you to Himself.

Note. To access scripture links that don’t appear in the email version, read the web version in your browser.

Jesus is the Bread of Life2024-02-17T14:54:02-07:00

God’s Character Manifested in His Name

by Grace Hunter

Sing to the LORD , you saints of his; praise his holy name. Psalm 30:4 NIV

“…hallowed be your name,” Matthew 6:9b NIV

 

What does this phrase mean? “Hallowed” is old English for holy – which means set apart, consecrated, revered, or sacred. Whose name are we to revere? God’s name.  Here is an example, “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness,” Psalm 29:2 NIV. Why should we revere God’s name? Because God’s name is so much more than just what we call Him. It includes the manifestation of His character — it signifies God Himself.

“So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD.  And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,  maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” Exodus 34:4-7a NIV 


Do you see how God proclaimed His name and His character to Moses at the same time? Samuel tells us God’s name is great, “For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own.” 1 Samuel 12:22. Daniel and Nehemiah both speak of the reputation of God’s name. “Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong.” Daniel 9:15 NIV. “You sent miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his officials and all the people of his land, for you knew how arrogantly the Egyptians treated them. You made a name for yourself, which remains to this day.” Nehemiah 9:10 NIV.

I too should care about God’s reputation, His name, His character. I pray that God’s character is revealed in me, in my life, and in my actions, more and more each day. Also, I should care about God’s reputation, His renown in the world, that His name is glorified, that His name and His desires win in the world I live in. I can pray for protection for others using God’s name, (Proverbs 18:10), (John 17:11-12), I can pray for God’s name to save (Psalm 54:1-2), and I can trust in God’s name (Psalm 20:7), (Psalm 33:21). Let’s make sure we keep God’s name holy, set apart, and always remember,    

O LORD, our Lord,
 how majestic is your name in all the earth!
 You have set your glory
 above the heavens. Psalm 8:1 NIV


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God’s Character Manifested in His Name2024-02-10T11:21:04-07:00
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