spending time with God

John 6:25-59 – All God Wants From Us

What a teaching those people received! The day before they had been fed bread and fish, and today they had been nourished by the Bread of Life himself. It appears from the reading that they had found Jesus on the other side of the lake, presumably in Capernaum, teaching in a synagogue. Although, intrigue turned to doubt for many who had come to find Jesus.

Jesus got the crowd riled up when he began explaining what it meant for him to be the bread of life. Can you imagine hearing those words the first time spoken! Even people today think it is gruesome and cannibalistic. But Jesus was not speaking literally, although later his words will be very meaningful during his last meal with his friends. This teaching is a good companion text to that sacramental meal. Continue reading “John 6:25-59 – All God Wants From Us”

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 – Remember This

Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9

In our day and age, being self-sufficient is often a sign of success. For Christ-followers, we have discarded that notion to the degree we realize we need help. Navigating life can be tricky with all the obstacles in our path. God has set us up for success when we follow his teachings and obey his commands.

What does it mean we “must fear the LORD,” our God? The word “must” suggests this is not negotiable. The importance is magnified because this command is repeated regularly in the Bible. Rather than understanding this “fear” as a phobia or something that causes us to be afraid, think of it as a reverence or awe of God’s power. Each time you have a new revelation about God’s character or a truth uncovered in His Word, capture those awestruck moments and relive them to help blossom your respect and awe for God. Continue reading “Deuteronomy 6:1-9 – Remember This”

John 6:35-40 – Our Purpose

Read John 6:35-40

Even as we’re preparing to celebrate Jesus’ first coming as a helpless babe, we can’t help but remember his life and some of the great lessons he taught us. In this passage, Jesus teaches of the last day and the reason he came in the first place.

What did Jesus say about that? “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.” That’s good counsel for us as well when we wonder what our purpose in life is. We can ponder all day long why God created us. What is our job on earth? I love how Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Life,” breaks it down into five purposes. They all point back to loving God and others while doing his will. The high schoolers at the orphanage are walking through that book with me, and it’s been great to see the lightbulbs going on that will help them in life to live how God desires. Continue reading “John 6:35-40 – Our Purpose”

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 – Remember Before It’s Too Late

Read Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

Solomon doesn’t want us to wait too long to remember the importance of God. This passage should speak loudly, even yell, at young people today. Sadly, I could recognize myself in some of the “older” traits Solomon describes here. The outward signs of aging are becoming more of a reality for me. Yet, most of the time, I am in denial that I have reached and passed “middle age.” Thankfully, I remembered long ago how important God is to me. Solomon just confirms that significance.

But whether you are young or old, it is never too late to give devotion to God. He wants to be the ruler of our lives no matter what age we are. I think Solomon worried that the older we get, the more set in our ways we become and making changes can be hard. If we aren’t already remembering God and thinking of him regularly, it can get harder the more time passes.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 – The Right Time

Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Time is a precious commodity. Once we spend it, we can’t get it back. This passage suggests there is a right and wrong time for doing things. Was Solomon’s wisdom causing him to overthink again? For the most part, I think he’s “spot on.” The problem is, we may not always know what the “right” time is for doing these things.

Thankfully, God’s timing is always perfect. I’ve heard that my whole life, and I’m sure I’ve said it dozens of times to help someone patiently wait. As we read through Solomon’s list of time sensitive aspects of life, I found myself nodding my head in agreement, remembering those times in my own life.