JESUS, the ANSWER (5)

In

I'm now in

Section Two:

JESUS

the

ANSWER

Last week, I read #4 and I really believe more strongly in the BREAD of Life needed for our journey. I'm not sure any of the rest of these will be as impactful. But for this week, I am in "LIGHT in a Dark Place" and since one of the years, my One Word was LIGHT, I definitely am acquainted with the Light of the World - JESUS; and the need of being the Light in this dark world, especially now, as light truly does need to shine more brightly into every dark place. Here are the different aspects of this second section, I'll call Chapters:

4. Bread for the Journey 5. Light in a Dark Place 6. An Open Door 7. The Good Life 8. A Grave Buster 9. A One-Way Street 10. The Root of the Fruit

[I will be posting this box in every blog post, so you can see where we've been & where we're going. The one in BOLD type will be the focus for that week]

"I AM the Bread of Life"

Just as last week, where JESUS declared, "I AM the Bread of Life" - this week JESUS spoke in John 8:12 "I AM the Light of the world ...". He did not say a Light among many, but THE Light. He did not say that He is the Light, for some but for the whole entire world! I'm getting ahead of myself because I right away need to make this distinction. A and an in the English language are indefinite articles, a determiner referring to something nonspecific; whereas the is a definite article, indicating the specific identity of the noun that follows, in this case - Light. JESUS is definitely the Light! JESUS is at His Brightest when life is at its darkest! And so should we be, as bearers of JESUS' Light! (Matthew 5:14) JESUS is the Light of the world, our world, and in the world. Like God is Omnipresent, so JESUS is Light.

This Chapter "Light in a Dark Place" is divided into the following segments: 

(or subtitles, which I called them last week) 

"In Deep Darkness" ... "Light is Absolutely Essential" ... "A Land of Deep Darkness" ... "Come into the Light" ... "We must Shine the Light to People in Dark Places"

You may want to read some of what Lysa TerKeurst shares in
"Finding I AM"
(sample at You Version)
about
JESUS
 the Light of the World
[Lysa includes a good quote from Charles Spurgeon also]
<><><>
Finding our way out of the darkness
for me, means out of sin,
but we're truly
not done
with
sin
in
this
world
until JESUS comes
and as the Holy Spirit works
in us and convicts us of our sin
we just don't change
hopefully we
sin less
and
the darkness 
no longer keeps us
out of the
Light
the more of JESUS in us
the more light we
can shine to
others in
the
dark

"Lord, shine into my heart and my life. And where there is darkness, let me bear Your Light to the ones You love." ~ 52 Weeks with Jesus, James Merritt

<><><>
I'm not sure that I will be back with more blog posts like last week, unless I'm inspired😉so if not, I'll see you back here next Sunday at 6 p.m. with #6.

Have you ever thought about JESUS as the Light in your dark moments?
How can JESUS, as the Light, be the Answer?
Imagine those living in the darkness,
never seeing the
Light
just
because
we did not shine
the Light of JESUS nor
show them the way
out of the dark
to the
Light
Help let JESUS Light
shine even
brighter!
🙏

More BREAD of LIFE

- these are more than 'crumbs' of bread; it's the 'whole' loaf for me -

As I finish this week, with "The BREAD that Satisfies" in 52 Weeks with Jesus, Section Two, JESUS, the Answer - "Bread for the Journey" I'm thinking and praying how significant this really is. 

"O Precious Bread of Life, You are the One that our souls are hungry for, and You give Yourself freely to us. You are so good, for when I ask for daily bread You don’t give me stones, but You give Your very self. Day by day, You satisfy my hungry soul with the Bread of Life. I worship You!" ~Asheritah Ciuciu

[Before I go on, I must share more about the above prayer by Asheritah Ciuciu - one of many that I now treasure & read in her book "Prayers of REST" (an acronym she uses for prayers). The above prayer was for the "R", which stands for Recite God's Goodness. Asheritah's book is also shared in various reading plans with You Version, this is from "Unwrapping the Names of Jesus" (day 4) If you'd like to know the rest of the prayer & the acronym of ... E.S.T., you'll need to follow the link].😉

I am praying these "Bread of Life" prayer parts each day this week and the "S" is the reason I am here sharing another blog post. I am meditating on the Bread of Life, as I receive daily the gift that Jesus offers and continue reading & praying, focusing on JESUS, as my daily Bread. 

As JESUS taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9-13, that we call "the Lord's Prayer" or "the Our Father"; He says, "Give us this day, our daily Bread ..." (verse 11) We really do need our daily "Bread", our daily sustenance, found in His Word ... manna for our souls. In the church of my childhood upbringing, it is customary to participate in the Lord's Supper, in Communion - sharing the elements that represent the body(bread) and blood(wine) of Jesus Christ, every time that they gather. As I think on this practice, I begin to better understand the rationale of this and the great opportunity that this is to partake in the Bread of Life, through this act of receiving a wafer (a host) and a sip of grape juice (wine for some)... Communion - in remembrance of Jesus Christ; "an act or instance" of 'common' sharing with symbols for the realization of our spiritual union with Christ; the forgiveness we experience because of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection; an intimacy that we become part of when we receive, with a common faith through our participation. 

This Bread of Life satisfies beyond a meal - more than a 'crumb', more than a slice, more than a loaf or tortilla. This Bread is Life for eternity, not just our earthly lifetime or immediate hunger need; JESUS' words in John 6:35 is a declaration of the Great I AM as "I AM the Bread of Life" but read on in full to understand better how significant. JESUS gives us something we crave physically on a daily basis to illustrate that He is absolutely all we need. He delights in us needing Him but even more our wanting Him. JESUS is the source of Life through His provision ... not only our breath, but experiencing fullness of JESUS Himself as He is in our everyday life, beginning to end. 

I think now I understand that in that foundational church of my upbringing, when I finally left; it was because I was denied communion, which I consider essential - and each time of Communion, I cried because I ached; now I know why. That denial is their man-made law, in my opinion, and I had and have such a hunger & thirst for JESUS, and needed to be able to experience fully my oneness with Him - that to me, is represented in receiving & partaking in the remembrance of communion. I read the Word daily, morning & night (and sometimes, in-between), but my firm belief is that JESUS is part of my everyday life and breath. So this is how and why I know JESUS as the Answer - He completes me. He sustains me. This is why the BREAD of Life is "Bread for my journey" and the only Bread that satisfies daily. 

This is much more than the "52 Weeks with JESUS" shared in this last portion of this week. In the last post, I shared the story from World War II in the box at the end (that was part of this "Bread that Satisfies") and then I added an interesting side note - which at the time I did not realize it was as important as it was. As I began reading this last part by James Merritt in "52 Weeks...", it starts with:

"Think about how bread is made."...

Seriously, I didn't know this was part of this  when I added that side note ...

"... The process begins when grain is planted in a field." ...

so, now think about when the seed of JESUS was planted in youor when you are willing to plant that seed in others by sharing JESUS
... it continues...

"... Upon ripening, it must be cut down, ground into flour, and made into dough. Then, before it can become bread, it has to pass through the fire of an oven." ...

... imagine this ...
can you relate this to your own life?
Now, read on - this is aMazing:

"... JESUS was planted as a seed in the womb of a virgin. He was born into this world and grew up completely sinless. And when He was ripe, at the height of His ministry, He was cut down, put through the fire of the oven of God's wrath in the shape of the cross. But He came out of an empty tomb as the finished Bread of Life."

WOW

Now go back and read that boxed story of World War II in the last post again
for the full effect - because that is how this section ends!

"... our souls can be satisfied only by the Bread of Life" ~ James Merritt , "52 Weeks with Jesus"

Yes, Lord JESUS
You are my Bread! You are my life!
You are my Bread of Life!
You give me daily nourishment in the Word of Life.
Thank You that I can daily open Your Word
and feast on the Bread of Life.
Each day I depend on You.
I need You JESUS!
You sustain me.
Only You can
satisfy as
my daily
manna
Fill me
🍞<>

JESUS, the ANSWER - "BREAD for the Journey"

As I shared already in this post (my official 1st post of 2023) after announcing the 2023 New Year (which I actually did before Jan.1) that I would not be blogging until I completed my 21 days with prayer & fasting, I let you know that I was doing "52 Weeks with Jesus". This week begins Section Two - Jesus, the Answer!

I found the following (boxed) intro quite interesting; especially after completing a few 21 day Bible reading plans, one of which was "21 Days of the Great I Am" that I tagged along following a sister in Christ/friend. And in the beginning of that "I AM" plan (on the 2nd & 3rd day), we began, as this section does with 

"I AM  the Bread of Life"

"Like Hansel & Gretel, JESUS drops bread crumbs along the path to knowing Him."...

I enjoy every morsel of His Bread!

[credit: heartlight.org]

The rest of that paragraph in the Intro to "JESUS, the Answer" lets us know that JESUS "offers us symbols, images, pictures and clues to remind us that He is more ... than human... He is far different - better ..." which JESUS explains in the Gospel of John, with the use of the 7 "I AM" statements "to share the intricate folds of His personality and identity." These 7 "I AM statements" "help us understand not only who He is but also what He wants to be for us." 

There is another study currently being done with Faith Gateway by Kathy Lee Gifford & Rabbi Jason called "The God of the How and When" but this seems to say that JESUS is also the WHO and What, yet intricately woven throughout scripture, especially John 3:16, we, believers know that JESUS, more than anything, is the WHY as well. To me, that completes JESUS coming to earth (the Where) to be the complete Answer for humanity to be (at-one) with God once again for eternity. Just as "bread" nourishes the hunger in us, JESUS fills the people who are hungry. Just as bread fills our empty stomachs giving us life, JESUS came to give His own Life to give us eternal Life and He fills that empty place in our very life: 

"What food is to your body, I am to your soul" ~ JESUS

All this is to say that it makes sense that the first week in this section two is:

 BREAD FOR THE JOURNEY

week 4

John 6:22-40 and 40:59

"... JESUS reminds us that He is sustenance for all people in all places at all times."

This week the subtitles and some of the scripture readings are:

"Hungry People" - John 6:35,48 "Jesus, the Feeder" - John 6:26 "Look for the Spiritual, Not the Material" - John 6:28-29;30-31 "Live for the Eternal, Not the Temporal" "Bread that Satisfies"

also Exodus 16:1-21; Nehemiah 9:9-21; Psalm 78:17-25
I do each of the above parts - one subtitle a day (which is very brief, but much to munch on, along with God's Word). So that means for today, I am reading "Look for the Spiritual, Not the Material" but I am actually reading "Live for the Eternal, Not the Temporal" too. The first thing that caught my eye was "Jesus challenged them to quit working for the stuff that won't last & start focusing on the things that will" then the 2nd was "stuff is temporal, but your soul is eternal". Now that morsel alone is plenty for me to focus on JESUS, as my sole (soul) sustenance... the manna I need today. 

 

"Lord, Giver of all good gifts, teach me to hunger for bread that truly satisfies."

There is a story in the final day that I would like to find & share. I believe I received it in an email so I will add it below:

"After World War II, Europe was overwhelmed with a number of hungry, homeless children who had been orphaned by the conflict. These children were placed in large camps where they received sufficient food and care. But the caregivers noticed the children did not sleep well at night. They were anxious and fearful and restless.    The caregivers were stumped until a psychologist formulated a solution. He instructed the caregivers to give each child a piece of bread, not to eat, but to hold after they were put to bed.    The results astounded all. The children slept through the night because they knew they would have food the next day. Holding bread gave them a sense of security (they were safe), significance (somebody cared about them), and satisfaction (there will be more bread tomorrow). Those things are what those children needed—and what every person needs.    We are all born with this hunger, but our growling souls can be satisfied only by the Bread of Life" 52 Weeks ... James Merritt

"Resting with Bread"
and
I will be resting with the Bread of Life
- JESUS -
filled and full
secure, significant, satisfied
<>

* an interesting side note that I found is that when making fresh
BREAD
the dough needs to rest
here's an article that gives you 3 reasons why
I'm sure that you, like I, will see a spiritual correlation
I'm not a Bread maker, but my mother was - just like God is!
Heavenly Bread
:)
You and I
need
Bread for the Journey

... With JESUS

While I was away during these first 21 days of Prayer 2023 offline (at least social media; and since I don't do Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or know much about these or others; this is my social platform of sorts) but mainly writing here is my 'therapy' and the place I organize my life, which at times has been "MESS-y" and seemed like I was journeying in "MAZES" (round & round) yet this year, with JESUS - front and centered - focus will be different and better; my journey hopefully will be filled with a more spiritual purpose, plan, and destiny ... I began my 

52 Weeks With Jesus

Yes, it's another book (well, as you can see, actually 3; I only have one and a year's worth of emails) but for 2023 it is more than a book for me; it's my life journey continuing with JESUS as my One Word! The rest of the book's title is "... Fall in Love with the One Who Changed Everything" however I already fell and am in LOVE and I know JESUS is the One who Changed Everything for me in my life and every time that I have gotten off track, JESUS is the One who leads me back; JESUS is the One who has welcomed me back; JESUS is the One with the Holy Spirit who gently pursues me to guide me along life's journey - a transformational journey. 

In fact, while I was away, the very first section of the book is about:

 

... JESUS, the Transformer ...

which is the first three weeks

1. Just Like Us 2. A Misfit Among Misfits 3. A Messy Messiah

so this past week I read/studied/focused/reflected on
JESUS, a Messy Messiah
{this is a title I can relate with - maybe you can too}

"...In the genealogy of Jesus, God demonstrates that anyone can become a part of the greatest royal family of all - the family of just not a king, but the King of kings."~ "Of Royal Linage" "Who would not want to be a part of God's family? Who would not want to have a seat at His table? Who would not want to be a piece in His mosaic? God became a part of the human family so that we could become a part of His Heavenly family." ...

This Messy Messiah title for JESUS makes Him relate-able (relatable).
In Louie Giglio's book (and YV plan I mentioned here)RELAT(ABLE)
Louie Giglio explores what makes us relatable.Because God has gone to extraordinary lengths to relate to us,we can build incredible *relationships ...
*my 2022 One Word
but as you can see God continually builds and speaks to usfrom one mess to another to help us with our personal messagejust as JESUS our Messiah does
we all are invited to God's family - to be part of His royal lineagebecause Everyone is Included in God's Loveandwe are part of HisUnlikely MosaicsoGod can use who we areGod can change what we areGod can take us where we areNo Misfits from A Misfit among Misfitsno one is beyond His Gracethere are no namesno black sheepJESUSis/wasJust Like Usborn with a past and a historywe have been made to become like Him"God wants you to be a masterpiece of His Graceby living for His Glory and expressingHis goodness to others."(Ephesians 2:10 NLT)The Reason You AreWho You Are
His Tree is our (my) tree
God Oversees the FutureGod Overcomes the PastYou're in the Picture
*Much of what I have composed above here are inserts from the subtitles of the first three weeks 1, 2, and 3 of JESUS, the Transformer. The following box contains the Prayers for each of these:

1."Lord, thank You for including me in the rich lineage, which has made me a member of Your family. Equip me to share Your goodness so that more can be called Your children." 2."Lord, I thank You that no one is beyond Your super- natural grace and that You choose to work through imperfect human vessels. Use me to Your glory." 3."Lord, thank You for becoming part of the human family so that I could become part of Your heavenly family. {This means everything to me!} Teach me how to live for You, love You more and do Your will."

I do believe that
JESUS
has become and begun as
the Transformer
in me and my life already
Don't you love it when a book or prayers speak to you or your heart? I do believe that these "52 Weeks With Jesus" will transform me even more. 
I believe like the author states in his devotional book that this will be a "transformative year and my passion for Jesus will deepen"
💖
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... As I move into the next section of my 52 Weeks With JESUS this week:

Section Two

... JESUS, the ANSWER ...

I've always known thisbut most oftenbelieve thatJESUShad theANSWERyet by sharingJESUSwith othersI tell themJESUSistheANSWERbutyou can find moreanswers about Him and lifein His Wordthe Bible<>

I'll be finding out more in the next seven weeks with these:

4. Bread for the Journey 5. Light in a Dark Place 6. An Open Door 7. The Good Life 8. A Grave Buster 9. A One-Way Street 10. The Root of the Fruit

MoreWith JESUSto come
JESUSAlways...1st...

maybe you can tell that JESUS is my One Word for 2023 - and so far I have not decided whether it's "...with JESUS" or "JESUS 1st" or "JESUS Always", yet I'm certain of this - it is:
JESUS
(front and center)

What about you?What's your 2023 One Word?

JESUS 2023

[credit: Gateway Church]

Happy New Year 2023!

21 days of Prayer & Fast to start it out well so

I'll see you after this time!

with

52 Weeks of Jesus

Jesus, the Transformer

the 1st 3 weeks

Jesus, the Answer

after that for weeks 4-10

<>

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

There's just something 

about that Name

...

Kings and Kingdoms

will all pass away

but there's

something about

*His Name

* that *

<><><>

Starting another year on this journey

with

JESUS

and His

"aMazing Grace..."

hopefully with less

Mazes & Messes

and much more

MIRACLES

Always

<>

"Lord, help me to fix my eyes on You. There are so many distracting voices that clamor for my attention. Help me to shut those out to focus on Your voice. Help me to make room for You and to make time with You a top priority in my life. In Your name I pray, Amen."

[and 6 more Best New Years Prayers for 2023 "New Year Prayers to Prepare for the Year Ahead"]

I also am starting 2023 with Jennifer Tucker's Breath as Prayer - looking forward to every breath and every prayer and every Word of God (Scripture)!