IT IS I
Suggested Reading: John 6
(click scripture link to read online)
These are windows in the Church of the Loaves & Fishes (also known as the Church of the Multiplication), located in Tabgha on the northwest shore of the Sea of the Galilee. This is the traditional site of Jesus' miracle of multiplying the five loaves and two fish (John 6).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: John 6:20
But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
The Bible has much to say about “fear.” The most familiar words are from Psalm 23. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 27 starts with these words, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?” The translator put a capital on the pronoun, “Whom.” He believed, I’m sure, that when we fear God (awe, respect and worship), we need not fear anyone or anything else. Jesus made it very clear that He is the same One who spoke from the burning bush, giving His Name as, “I Am” (Exodus 3:1-6). Over and over Jesus refers to Himself as “I Am.” In today’s reading, He says, “I am the bread” twice. He demonstrated this by providing bread for the multitudes. We could read again now verses 48 to 58 in our Bibles. There is spiritual communion where spiritually, and not just physically, we make Christ Jesus the integral essence of our innermost being. We eat of Him. He is our very life. We also need to gather with other believers to participate in the Communion service. Paul teaches about the right way to eat and drink of Christ (read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord Jesus, In my prayer time earlier this morning I have eaten some bread and have partaken of the fruit of the vine, thinking all the time of Your words here in John 6. I am most conscious of Your Presence here with me. On the cross, You sacrificed Your body and shed Your blood for me so that I would, by partaking by faith of You, have everlasting life. I pray for a fresh daily experience of Your life, death, and resurrection. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
John 6:37 is the Word I believed for my salvation as a 16 year old. Yes, I had prayed many times at my mother’s knee when she would encourage me to do so, and I had gone forward to the altar to pray for salvation. I had gone through the procedures that the church recommends, but I did not have the assurance of eternal life in Jesus until one night in the Glebe Collegiate auditorium in Ottawa, when I went forward at the invitation of an Evangelist from New York City by the name of Jack Wyrtzen. He had a radio program that I listened to and I liked his preaching. However, it was not his preaching that night that brought assurance to my heart, it was the words of an elderly man, whose name I don’t know, who met me at the front, held his Bible open at John 6 and asked me to read verse 37 several times. I did so. Then he said, “You’ve come to Jesus, right?” I answered, “Yes.” He then looked intently at me and said, “Then, what does Jesus do?” Suddenly, for the first time in my life, I truly believed, “He does not cast me out.” I believed with all my heart at that moment that Jesus received me and that I was saved. The next day I quoted that verse over and over, and I have not doubted my salvation since. I know that when I believe and confess the Word of God, the power of God is activated in my life. This is why I’m committed to this daily blog.
Yours for the assurance that comes from believing the “Word,”
David
Oh what joy and peace is given when we come to know and trust Jesus for our salvation. Forgiveness and acceptance is only a prayer away. Assurance can be ours in Jesus.
Why at times then does it feel like HE has cast me out? I pray each night. I thank GOD for everything I have and anything I may receive in future. I pray for others and for myself. I am out of work and I pray each night that a job in the field I have recently trained will come so that I can live a better life financially. My son is on disability and if it weren’t for his help where would I be? I am grateful for everything I have but it just seems I cant get anywhere (ahead) I mean no matter what I do.
There is no easy answer here. By what you have written, it is clear you are feeling discouraged and stressed. I commend you for the strength it must take having to care for a disabled child, while seeking employment in a field, which you had the initiative to take training. At times when it all seems hopeless and you feel like you are getting nowhere, I pray God gives you hope. Also, that at times when life takes a positive turn, you will be thankful you never gave up.
Dear David, Thanks very much for this blog. I am receiving a daily blessing. May God continue to bless you in every aspect of your life.
John 6:37 is powerful indeed … to know that even in our imperfections, Christ will never cast us out. Once we have trusted and believed in His life, death and resurrection, that He is the bread of life as we live our lives, Christ will never cast us out. It was interesting how the thousands who gathered and ate his bread, wanted to physically take Jesus and make Him their king. Later, Christ talks of our spirit and not our physical flesh, as our means of eternal life. Again, thank you for your blog today David, and accompanying picture. Have a great day!
Thankyou, thankyou David! Thankyou, thankyou Jesus!
Vicky, Gods’ promise is that He will never leave you or forsake you..Heb.13:5
In a hopeless time in my life, the words of Ps.27 encouraged me so much
esp.verses 13,14: What,what would have become of me had I not believed that
I would see the Lords’ goodness in the land of the living! Wait, hope for and expect the Lord.
He is faithful! Lord, thankyou for your blessings today.
Thank you for sharing Vicki remeber ” For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord.” they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope
Never Give up God Loves you and your son !!!
Lianne Hogg
In response to Vicky; I can only imagine how difficult your present circumstances are at the moment. You say you are not working right now so I don’t know how you are supporting yourself and your son nor, is it any of my business ! Please don’t lose faith in The Lord or cease to trust in him. In my own life experience, although it didn’t always seem so at the time, looking back I see clearly the times Jesus carried me. You’ve read the Christian writing: Footprints? The writer states that when there became only one set of footprints, that’s when The Lord carried him! I personally have been blessed, never being out of work although, through numerous stupid decisions in my life, I almost wound up on the street. The Lord was always there to support me and pulled me up out of quite a few dark holes! He will do that for you also. Trust him implicitly, do the best you can and The Lord will take care of the rest. Although you may think it’s easy for me to say; in this world, if one has a roof that doesn’t leak, decent health and enough food on the table, everything else is extra or luxury! I’ve lived it. Stuff comes and goes. It’s only material and temporary! God is eternal and our response to him determines our eternal destiny! Have faith, Vicky, things will improve! We will all pray for you and please keep us abreast of your progress. I’m not sure if any of my words have been of any encouragement but, I certainly hope they have. Take care and may God protect and guide you. Amen.
Thankyou to All of you !!!
Dear Vicky, l’ve been where you are at,and l know it is not fun! However we came through the other side and the Lord blessed us with a good job,enough to pay all our bills and catch up on everything. We decided to tithe from our unemployment cheque and for us it seemed a turning point. People in our church who knew about our situation shared their groceries with us for several weeks,Wow! God loves all his children equally so with all the prayers going up for you right now,l believe things will turn around for you too!
I enjoy reading this blog and seeing the comments. God is so faithful. I will keep u and your son in my prayers Vicky.
The book of John is one of the first books that I read when I was first saved.
Verse 6:68 where Simon Peter states….Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. vs 69 …You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
I cannot wait for heaven. To see Him.
I was singing that great Hymn today.
Oh Hail King Jesus
Oh Hail Emmanuel
King of Kings
Lord of Lords
Bright Morning Star
Through out eternity I will praise Him and
I will reign with Him throught out eternity.
Of course my voice is not all that great but I delight in the Lord
Blessings to David and Norma Jean
May God continue to hold you in His arms
I mean no offence David
At times the Lord has shown me that He is pouring you out like a drink offering.
You are a pleasant fragrence in his nostrils.
A pleasing sight to behold you are to Him
In Christ
Mellany
Prayers are with you Vicky. Never stop praying , never stop believing, and never give up.
Every time I read David’s blog, I just want to strongly suggest that he write an daily devotional book. (I especially like a relatively small and attractively bound devotional). His thoughts on Scripture are so Spirit filled and so inspiring. I appreciate his life story, but his understanding and depth of Scripture interpretation can be universally applied, no matter who we are or what God has called us to. Please do consider it – God has given you a special gift of understanding of His Word!
You’ve been on my heart all day, Vicky.I know we’ve all been praying
for you , your son and situation. Jesus is still saying “It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
David, I just want to thank you for showing me the discipline it takes to do these blogs faithfully every morning. Your discipline and dedication to us and The Lord inspire me to be more faithful in my own “getting up” and reading The Word and spending time with Our Lord. Thank you, David, for being such a good example to us not just today but through the years.
I have really been praying about unity lately,as I would so love to know how it works so much more.When there are differing views on important issues,what do you do David?