Bread of Life

March 9th 2017
Scripture: John 6:66-67 (KJV)

Bread of Life

  "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?"

Jesus taught one of His toughest teachings about living the Christian life to His multitudes of so-called "disciples"; that He himself was the Bread of Life. Anyone who did not eat his flesh and drink his blood could not have true life in them. Now, come on, you can't say this teaching isn't a bit strange... 

But there is a deeper meaning here, as Jesus' words always do. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. His "blood" spewed from his body and his "flesh" torn open like a loaf of bread. Bread (food) is life; for we could not live long without food to keep us going. We need water to survive. Spiritually speaking, we need Jesus like we need food and water, if we have any hopes of gaining eternal life. Yet "...many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him."

What really strikes me is Jesus' question to his 12 closest disciples, "Will you also go away?" This question cuts to the heart, because so many times I find myself relapsing in my faith. I no longer walk with Jesus, but go off on my own trail and do my work for Jesus. It is so easy to lose my venturing and devoted walk with Jesus. One day, two days, skip a few more, and I find myself yards away from Jesus' side. I don't notice it at the time that its happening, but each step I take away from walking alongside Jesus in my daily relationship with him, I slowly starve myself spiritually. I start asking, "what am I going to do?" instead of, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" I lose my sense of dependency and devotion to him. In all realities, we need Him by our side, every step of the way. For He alone is the bread that gives us life.

"Lord Jesus, I thank You that You are always ready to pick up right where we left off, no matter how far I stride. Help me to realize daily how much I need your word, just like I need food and water and air. You alone are my Bread of Life, let my spirit relish our times together. Amen."

Open Heart Surgery

February 15th, 2017
Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)

Open Heart Surgery

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

After the Fall of Jerusalem, the LORD assures hope for the People of Israel through the words of Ezekiel the prophet. The LORD speaks of a "spiritual operation" that He will preform as the chief surgeon. He will give His people a new heart and new spirit, replacing stone with flesh. The very core of their being will be changed from the inside-out.

  I've heard the expression used, "stone cold", as a way of saying that a person can be cruel beyond belief, or inhumane. I've also heard the phrase, "set in stone", as a way of expressing permanent action that cannot be undone. I think this is similar to the "heart of stone" that is lodged within the hearts of humanity. But I also believe that nothing or no one is beyond redemption.

God wants to give us new hearts of flesh; living tissue that matures, grows, and contains life. Just as Jesus said, "[Those who believe] have crossed over from death to life" (John 5:24). God also wants to put a new spirit inside of us: The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of His Son.

So next time you think you are too far gone, or that you won't be able to trust ever again, or you will never break the numbness you feel, just remember the Great Healer has an operating table waiting for you. All you have to do is ask God for the surgery and give Him permission to do it. It may take some time to replace that heart of stone, just like real heart surgeries take time, but the end result is always worth it!

"Lord Jesus, thank You that our hearts can be mended, repaired, and ultimately replaced and renewed. I give You full permission to work on my heart, so I can be filled with love and new life. In Your Holy Name, Amen."

Beyond the Sun

June 15 2016
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NIV)

(All photo rights reserved to Patrick Stanton, author of thenaturalshot.wordpress.com)

Beyond the Sun

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgement including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

The book of Ecclesiastes can be very confusing and hard to understand, for the author, many times throughout the book, reflects on the meaninglessness of life under the sun. He ponders the unfairness of how the righteous die early and the wicked live long and prosperous lives, seemingly consequence-free. The key phrase here is "under the sun", which represents this life on earth, the here and now, apart from eternity. If you throw away the idea that there is a life after death, you might as well eat, drink, and enjoy the days you have left, for the righteous and the wicked all meet the same end in death under the sun. But the conclusion of this book is not under the sun, but beyond the sun. "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind."

It is very hard to see all the injustice in the world, and very easy to throw up your hands and shout, "It's all meaningless!" Yet, as believers in Christ, we have a hope in a God who lives beyond the sun, and we have a duty to fear, honor, revere, and respect God with our lives and obey His commandments. God will bring everything to justice, which is an encouragement to those who have faith in Jesus, but a strong warning to those who choose to live in opposition to this reality. The question each one must ask is, "How will I choose to live with the time given to me, under the sun?" 

"Lord Jesus, thank You that in You, life is not meaningless. Help me to fear You and keep Your commandments all the days I have left on this earth. Thank You for eternal life that is beyond the sun through faith and belief in You, the one and only Messiah. Amen."

Not Out of the Woods Yet

June 13 2016
Scripture: Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

Not Out of the Woods Yet

"Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

Here Isaiah is speaking the word of the Living God to the people of Israel. This people often remembered the Lord for the things He had done for them in the past. They remembered that God split the red sea, brought their fathers through the wilderness, and delivered them out of the hand of Egypt. But their problem was they believed that God only did stuff back then, and now His might is nowhere to be found. 

This is a hard thing for most believers, because we all face "the wilderness" in our journey of faith. We know that God is real, because He proved Himself in the past, but somehow our vision of Him seems to hide away in the thick of the woods. He doesn't seem to listen to us like He once did. Our perception changes and we believe that God was once real, but now those are just memories. 

But God has something different to say, "Behold I am doing something new." It springs up now whether you perceive it or not. He promises that He will provide a way in the wilderness, not necessarily "out" of the wilderness, and a quenching river in the desert. God isn't trapped in the past, but is on the move today. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). That same water-dividing God is bringing freedom and deliverance today to those who put their trust in Him.

"Lord Jesus, thank You for meeting me in the wilderness and providing a way through it. Thank You that You aren't done working through your people, and are still a miracle-working God today, who is doing a new thing in the 21st century. Amen."

(All photo rights reserved to Patrick Stanton, author of thenaturalshot.wordpress.com)

A True Mission for Youth Ministry

May 31 2016
Scripture: Psalm 71:17-18 (NIV)

A True Mission for Youth Ministry

"Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come."

In the Youth Ministry World  a lot of effort can go into cultural relevancy, professional programming, strategic social media usage, and such, all in attempts to get teenagers interested in coming to church. These are all great tools for ministry and I believe it's important to think about and implement such things. For me though I found a great reminder within my Bible when I was reminiscing with King David in the Psalms today. David hits a great point in his reflections to God his Divine Teacher, when he states a purpose, or a lifetime goal of declaring God's power to the next generation, His mighty works to all who are to come. 

Now I know that Kind David was never a Youth Pastor, but I believe his words summarize the true mission for youth ministry, and a personal mission for life as a Christian as well. This was very refreshing for me to be reminded that the most important thing about youth ministry is not the lights sounds, relevancy, or ministry strategies, but to simply "declare God's power and love to the next generation and to all who are to come." The means by which I get the message out can never replace the message itself. 

"Lord Jesus, thank You for the reminder that my goal in life and ministry is more than the temporary things of this earth, but the eternal life that can only be found in You. Let me do all for Your glory and always keep the power of the gospel at the forefront of my efforts in ministry. Amen."

Hated in Jesus Name

April 6th 2016
Scripture: Luke 21:17-19 (ESV)

Hated in Jesus Name

"You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives."

This is a hard teaching. Jesus here is talking about the events leading up to the Last Days. Not only will there be earthly devastation like earthquakes, famines, and war, but all will hate you for the sake of being a Christian. This is a warning, but also a comfort from Jesus. These events will serve as an opportunity to witness. Jesus gave the promise that when we stand before judges and rulers, that He will give us a mouth of wisdom that no one could contradict (Luke 21:15). As for our hair not perishing, this means that our eternal dwelling in Heaven will not die. The key to this passage is that our endurance will gain our lives, our true lives. 

As Jesus has said before, we will not know the hour of His return, but He encourages us that when we endure the trials, we will be able to witness the power and love of Christ. The Holy Spirit will guide our words, and our Father has prepared our eternal home. So what can man do to me that would shake my hope? It should be considered great joy if I suffer for Jesus' sake, despite the feelings that I have been abandoned to endure more than I can bear. I must endure the storm. It's worth it every time. 

Lord Jesus, thank You that You will never leave me. I have not suffered much, but I know the storm is coming. Prepare me even now so that I may have a strong endurance, gaining my true life through my faith in You. You are worth losing my earthly life so I can sit at Your table in the life to come. Amen"

Give It Up

March 23 2016
Scripture: Luke 18:29-30 (ESV)

Give It Up

"And He said to them, 'Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers and sisters or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.'"

Jesus had just asked a rich man to give away his earthly wealth and follow Him, but he went away sad because he did not want to part with the many things he had. Jesus then states how nearly impossible it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God. His eager disciple Peter chimes in saying, "We gave up our homes and followed you." At first, the next verses looks like an oxymoron that Jesus promises more wealth in this life and the next. Many of Jesus' followers were dirt poor. They suffered beatings, ridicule, imprisonment, and some endured deaths similar to Christ. This doesn't look like, "many times more in this time", but Jesus' words are true nonetheless. Jesus was talking about heavenly treasures, not earthly, like the rich man's stuff. Outwardly, you may have the least, but when you leave behind earthly things for Christ, inwardly you experience the best thing there is: God's presence. So leaving behind the comfort of home and family can be sad, and you may miss it, like Peter, but that's okay, because you will be blessed for what you give up.

If I want to see eternal treasures grow in my life, I must be willing to give up my riches and comfort so that God's kingdom can greater impact my life. It is okay for me to miss the people I left behind, but God will surely bless me for it. A great way to view my possessions is that they were never mine to begin with. "Every good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17). My stuff is God's stuff and if He wants to use it for something else, then that's okay with me, because it's all His anyways.

"Lord Jesus, thank you that whenever I give up something good for You, You will bless me for it. Help me to view my stuff as Your stuff, because I know You gave it to me. Though I may never have millions in this life, I know I am rich in You! Amen."

Feast On This

March 14 2016
Scripture: Luke 14:13-14 (ESV)

Feast On This!

"But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the Resurrection of the Just."

Jesus was invited to a party where we find him 'changing the rules of the game' once again. He states that when you give a feast don't invite your friends, relatives, or rich neighbors, for they may pay you back by inviting you in return. This no longer is a generous giving, but borrowing, because the expectation is "if I do something nice to you, you should do something nice to me to return the favor". 

But true giving is not expecting even a penny back in this life; for the eternal repayment is found in the Father's pleasure at the End of the Age. So Jesus is saying to be generous in this way, it would be easier to invite those who couldn't repay you even if they wanted to. Then you will be blessed because you followed the heart of Jesus' instruction when He said, "as you did to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did to Me" (Mat 25:40). 

If I want to know the true joys of giving, I must decide for myself to give, expecting nothing, not even a "thank you". It will not be for my gain, but for theirs. If Jesus was willing to give everything, even His life, what would I be willing to give to those He died for? My resources? My time? My "youth pastor shuddle services"? I must give to those that cannot give back, for Jesus did the exact same thing on the cross by giving Himself when there was no other way for us to repay our debts. 

"Lord Jesus, thank You for throwing Your "heavenly party" and inviting me to join in, when there was no way I could repay You for what You paid to make it happen. Help me to model my giving after You and to find the joy and blessing of serving the least, the poor, the blind, the lame, and crippled. Let me not seek any earthly reward but cling to the eternal reward that You will give during the Resurrection of the Just. Take me and use all I have for Your glory. Amen."

Temporary Joy Vs. Eternal Joy

March 8th 2016
Scripture Luke 10:19-20 (ESV)

Temporary Joy Vs. Eternal Joy

"Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in Heaven."

Jesus sent out seventy-two willing believers who healed people, preformed miracles, and even cast out demons in His name. They must have been ecstatic that they, "ordinary people," received such authority under God. Jesus rejoices with them, but also gives a slight nudge to realign their thinking patterns. He knew that if they only rejoiced in the "good times," then their joy would be snatched away the moment the rough waters of life swept them off their feet. Instead, "rejoice that your names are written in Heaven." The power of this promise is much greater; for this promise is eternally theirs forever. It is not dependent on the temporary, but has strength to pull them through their darkest days, by focusing on the eternal hope in Christ. 

As a follower of Jesus, I long to see myself being a vessel for God to work the extraordinary, which He can, and I would welcome Him to it. But my joy must come from a much deeper well, so that when my "hour has come" to endure the storm, I can still rejoice in my eternal destination that does not change upon my circumstances.

"Lord Jesus, thank You that my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life through my faith in You. Take my life and use it as You will. Thank You for giving me authority in Your Name. Let me be obedient and joyful in all circumstances; watching and praying, "Your Kingdom come. Amen."