I Am the Bread of Life

One of the outreaches our ministry does is to send boxes filled with

food, hygiene supplies, and spiritual material to soldiers fighting

in foreign lands.

A woman recently told me, that her son-in-law; who is serving in Afghanistan

was very hungry because the dehydrated rations weren’t very filling. He asked

her to please send REAL FOOD! They needed nutrition, not junk food!

It breaks my heart to hear that our soldiers are hungry and I was thankful to hear

some feedback as to what help would bring them help and encouragement.

It has been reported on the news that many of our young men and women

serving overseas are depressed and there has been an increase in suicides.

We are so thankful for all the brave men and women who are sacrificially fighting for the

freedom of others; and as Christians, we should be reaching out to our soldiers and

the poor with physical and spiritual food.

With all the tragedy in our world, there are so many who are hungry, homeless, and in

need of hope and encouragement.

Jesus taught us, to love and serve others, as he did, even when he was hurting and sad.

One day, just after he heard that his cousin, John the Baptist had been beheaded,

Jesus tried to leave by boat to a remote place to grieve.

The people had been pressing toward Him from all sides, to be healed
and hear His messages of love. He and the disciples were so busy teaching

and healing, they didn’t even have time to eat…so Jesus said to the disciples :

Come with me to a quiet place and rest.

They left by boat to seek a place of solitude, but
thousands of people followed on foot, from many towns
and villages. When they reached the shore of their
destination, there was a multitude of people waiting
for them.

Jesus put His emotions aside and began to teach
and heal the sick. He had compassion on them,
because they were like sheep without a shepherd.

When evening came, the disciples urged Jesus to
send the people away to the neighboring towns
to buy food.

Jesus said to Philip – Where shall we buy bread,
so all these shall eat? Philip was being tested
by Jesus, for he knew what he would do.

Philip said – 200 pennyworth of bread is not
enough for each to have a little.

Andrew, Peter’s brother had been scouting for food among the crowd and said,

There is a boy here with 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish,

but what are they among so many?

Jesus said, Make the people sit in groups of
fifties and hundreds on the grass.

He took the bread and fish and looked up to
heaven, Blessed the food and began breaking it
into baskets for the disciples to distribute
among the people.

Over 5000 people ate and were
completely satisfied. When the meal was ended,
He instructed the disciples to gather up the
remains, so nothing would be wasted.
12 baskets of leftovers remained from the
5 loaves and 2 fish.

Even though Jesus was weary, he didn’t let his
emotions rule him. He refused to turn the people
away in their time of need.

He saw their pain and hunger for food and love.

In Matthew 6:25-33

Jesus said – Don’t worry about what you eat or drink.

God lovingly feeds the birds of the air. They
don’t plant or reap and have no storehouse
of food. You are far more valuable to him
than a sparrow. Don’t worry about the clothes
for your body…for Our Father provides a
beautiful array of colors for the flowers
in the fields…

He knows our needs, even before we ask.

The people in the story sought Jesus because
they had seen his miracles.

It is interesting to note that Jesus required someone to sow a seed…

and used the faith of a child to illustrate his lesson.

The young boy willingly gave Jesus all he
had, not worrying about whether he would have
enough for himself.

The seed of food, when offered as a sacrifice, and blessed by God,
multiplied into such abundance, that thousands
were fed and completely satisfied.

By offering to feed the multitudes, he taught
them to share among themselves, and no one went
hungry.

Jesus did not use this as an opportunity to
make money, or sell tickets for the sale of the
meal. He didn’t even take up an offering for
the ministry or for the poor.

He taught them to save the leftovers for another time and not to
waste the blessings, God had given them.

He didn’t want them to only seek His presence
for miracles and provision.

Our Father in heaven knows our needs.

If we seek to have a loving relationship with Him,

he promises to take care of us.

Jesus said, if a man’s son asks him for
bread, will he give him a stone?…or a fish,
will he give him a snake? If you who are evil,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give
good things to those who ask him?

Are you hungry, homeless, in financial need, or afraid?

Precious one…

Your heavenly Father loved you so much, he
sent Jesus to die for your sins. If he love
you this much, he loves you enough to provide
for all your needs.

Like Philip and the disciples, he may be testing you to see if
you’ll sow a seed in faith and trust him.

Jesus said,
I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall
never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never
thirst. John 6:35

Come to Jesus…

Ask him, seek him, spend time with him.

He is a loving and merciful God, who will never leave
you or forsake you.

Today you may have lost your home, job, or family.

Even in your poverty, God may be asking you to sow a seed

of bread, or time to help another who is in need.

When you do, pray and watch him miraculously bless and multiply

that seed of faith into a bountiful harvest to provide for you and

others.

Be still and know that God is here…

Let Him deliver you from fear.

He can lead you from a life of sin,

and make you strong and whole again.

But my God shall supply all your need according
to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

O Merciful Father in Heaven,

Thank you, for this day.
Take my hand and guide the way.
Let me drink, from the river that brings…
Love and peace and all good things.

Season my speech, with the salt of tact.
Fill my mind, with the knowledge I lack.
Soften my heart, with compassion to see…
A world full of starving people to feed.

They hunger for the bread of life…
And how to end all hate and strife.
Let your words…flow through me.
Sowing seeds of hope the world needs.

Quiet my mouth, to listen and learn.
Filter with truth, all that I’ve heard.
Let my vision be widened to see…
Hurting people in front of me.

As I take each step, let me…
Walk in faith…not feelings or greed.
Positive thoughts and confession will bring,
glory to Jesus, my Savior and King.

We lift up prayers to you our soldiers and
leaders of this world. Reveal to them your
perfect will and truth. Guard and protect
them from all evil. Help them to go through
their valley of trials and adversity, knowing
you have the whole world in your hands and
nothing will happen to us, that we cannot
handle, in Your power and strength.

Father we ask for healing of Kirk’s brother, Gloria, Barb, Rev. Jackson, Norm, Shirley,

Debbi, and all who are suffering from sickness or pain. Lay your hands of strength

and health upon them, and if it be your will, make them whole.

We lift up prayers to you for the people of Haiti, Chile, and all who are suffering

from sickness or adversity. You are the bread of life. Feed us with

your precious word, and your body and blood through the sacrament.

Jesus heal us everywhere we hurt. Calm our fears and give us your

hope, strength, and peace. Help Ann and Adam Hume and all who

are missionaries serving you and their fellowman to reflect your

love and compassion to those who are hurting.

Help us to love our neighbors enough, to tell them the good news

of how to find salvation and eternal security, through faith in Jesus Christ.

May your light shine brightly through us, blossoming

into love and peace among all nations.

With Your resurrecting power, all things are possible.

In Jesus’ name I pray…

Amen

He that believeth on me, the works that I do
shall he do also, and greater works than these
shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that
will I do, that the Father, may be glorified in the Son.

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
John 14:12-14

Your sister and servant of the LORD,

Valerie Rousseau