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"
💖
<><><>

... 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)!

Unraveling RELATIONSHIP as my 2022 One Word

As I begin to look to 2023 and leave behind 2022, I will continue with the work that still needs work in RELATIONSHIPS as I indicated in this post and throughout this final week with this One Word as I shared this whole year. It's clear that God knows this because when I was looking and saving new reading plans for 2023, I came across this in the very 1st words of the 1st day of one of them:

"In order to have a successful relationship that will last Jesus Christ must be the foundational center of that relationship." ...

... which goes perfectly with the image I adjusted and chose yesterdayin that post before I encountered that quote above

[image & credit from that post]

so like I stated, God is still speaking to me about 

RELATIONSHIPS
even with the 1st day of that plan by Dr. Kennetra Bryant which continues:

"... If Jesus is not sought after and made the primary base of any relationship, in time the relationship will suffer severely, no matter how great one thinks things are progressing. Trials, tribulations, and challenges will come and one’s relational fellowship with Jesus during the storms of life is key to making it through.  Making the conscious determined decision to follow Jesus is paramount for any relationship to grow, thrive, and develop into the God-honoring purpose it is intended to serve in one’s life."... "Although the results are not always visually seen quickly over time God’s purpose, for each relationship will be revealed. Be determined to follow Jesus in your relationships."

"...What relationships are you willing to let go to follow Jesus? What relationships are you willing to pursue and hold on to as you follow Jesus?"(day 2)

Other good quotes saved earlier in 2022:

 "You want to see your relationships flourishing and healthy, and you want them to be God honoring ..." (part of a quote from Proverbs 31 Ministries when introducing Lysa TerKeurst's newest book "Good Boundaries and Goodbyes") that I saved as soon as I read it. I definitely need to get this book sometime just not yet. 

"Being human is hard. Being in relationships with other humans is even harder. People are complex and relationships are messy but loving one another well is possible" - (in)courage promo of "Come Sit with Me" by 26 (in)courage writers

<>

I was hoping as I conclude 2022 with RELATIONSHIP(s) that I might have something of my own that is profound from this entire year, as I wrote in another blog post this last week, life lessons on RELATIONSHIPS. So far, all I came up with is more questions and what others have written. 

Here are the final questions that I still am left with:

- Was it a risk or a long shot to think that RELATIONSHIP in 2022 was my One Word? Is it possible that I didn't hear God right? 

- What did I expect might happen as I decided RELATIONSHIPS was the One Word? 

- Was I delusional to think God had a miracle in store in 2022 for my RELATIONSHIP(s)? for any Relationship? for any change or for them to be impacted? did I change any?

- What have I learned about me & RELATIONSHIPS?

- "What relationship behaviors have/haven’t worked well? What progress did I make in changing myself?"

In some ways, some of what I have written this week & this year are the answers to some of the above questions. I continue to believe that I am changing in my RELATIONSHIP(s) yet know I have more changes to make and dysfunctional patterns to break. It is helpful to assess where we are in our lives & our relationships from time to time. The last day of the year is traditionally a reminder to do that. As I enter this New Year, I can continue doing what works and purpose to stop doing what doesn't. "When we’re in the middle of a problem, it’s hard to see ahead and to believe we will ever be in a different place. When we look back with the insight we have gained, we can see what has been worked out in our hearts, minds, circumstances, and relationships."

I do think that God definitely meant for me to tackle RELATIONSHIP in 2022 and that He has, was and will EQUIP me. [If you've been following along this past week, you'll remember that in one post I shared that acronym of EQUIP from one of the YV reading plans - and I didn't forget that I wrote I'd reveal at least what each letter stands for; to help stay on track & incorporate love in to all of our RELATIONSHIPs, according to the author of that YV reading plan and book]

E ncourage

Q uality Time

U nderstanding

I nvest

P hysical Touch

After completing this plan, I agree that each of these would better our RELATIONSHIPS if we made them part of our RELATIONSHIPS they would impact them positively and they will bring out the BEST in us! God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to redeem our RELATIONSHIP. Each of us now need to be part of building redemptive RELATIONSHIPS in His Kingdom by being open to listen, empathize, nurture trust and share your message by being a more effective witness of God's truths and principles in Jesus' teachings. I will hold on to the BEST RELATIONSHIP I have ... with JESUS and let Him help me and show me how to continue learning how to better RELATE in all my earthly connections. 

ENJOY A HAPPY NEW YEAR EVE!

Let's thank God for another year

and begin our new year of 2023 in HIS Presence

in prayer & praise of

JESUS

I intend to spend the next 

"52 Weeks with Jesus!"

and an eternity

RELATIONSHIP as 2022 One Word

[credit for the original; I cropped this]

As you may have noticed by now in this final week of 2022, I am still searching for the reason or a summary of my One Word for this year: RELATIONSHIP. I have read in God's Word and many sources about RELATIONSHIPs. I'd like to share more of what the Bible has to say. But when I started my search for RELATIONSHIP in the Bible; one source mentioned this:

"Although the word "relationship" does not appear in the Bible, its concept is clearly shown through examples in the Bible. The primary verse depicting   relationship is:  John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Now that was not real helpful, you'll be glad to know that this is not entirely true if you're open to looking at other versions - perhaps by the wording of John 3:16, you can tell which 'pure' version mentioned this. I am whole heartedly in agreement and behind their choice of the best verse that depicts the clearest example of the RELATIONSHIP concept. But as I hope to show you, the Bible clearly is filled with RELATIONSHIP and is basic to the Christian faith, at least to those who still believe that JESUS came to redeem our RELATIONSHIP with God the Father and we need to follow JESUS, not any other. Most true Christian believers still believe (I think) that our essential belief in JESUS is based on "RELATIONSHIP" not religion. From Genesis to Revelation, it is clear that the Holy Bible - God's Word to us, is not a book about religion but RELATIONSHIPS - from creation, God created people to be in RELATIONSHIP with Himself and one another in friendship, marriage, family, society and the church. Human beings are created to be in RELATIONSHIP with God. And yes, I found that in other Bible translations, the word "RELATIONSHIP" can be found. In fact, Bible Gateway gave 5,734!

In one search, in Bible Gateway, in the version "The Voice", there are 94 results given. Of course, not all of the results of the word are beneficial uses of RELATIONSHIP to glean some special insights on how to better our RELATIONSHIPs with God, others or the world, but the word is there. Bible Hub shows 46 results. and the term RELATIONSHIP is defined--- also Greek and Hebrew terms. There are also excellent resource articles cited & links:

 

How can I have a closer relationship with God? | GotQuestions.org Can you give me some Christian relationship advice? | GotQuestions.org Is Christianity a religion or a relationship? | GotQuestions.org

Concordance  - Dictionary  - Bible Encyclopedia

My point in sharing all this is not for you to research but to have in case some day you (and I) might need it. I have held on to these since the beginning of 2022 so it's also the best way for me to save much that I have gathered. I even considered getting the Kindle ebook of a special Bible by T.D. Jakes: Life Lessons on Relationships from the Inspired Word of God. However, I was hoping that throughout 2022 God would inspire me with my own "life lessons". I have learned many lessons on RELATIONSHIP(s) through a lifetime of failures mixed with a few successes. As I reflect and think of a summary this week of RELATIONSHIP, I have not done very well because I am still asking God ... yet I do know as my previous posts this week show that part of the purpose was to learn (unlearn & relearn)how to have healthy RELATIONSHIPs and seek God in ways to rebuild or restore the ones I should. Steps I will continue to pursue in whatever life I have left as God leads me. As I have indicated God just used this One Word to get my attention of a work that still needs more work. If you look back through my blog posts, you will see most are about RELATIONSHIP. I will attempt one more short one before New Year's Eve as I say goodbye to 2022 (but not any RELATIONSHIP) and look forward to a New Year & New One Word as I begin the year in Prayer as I usually do. I do realize that most of these posts this past week are for me but hopefully there are some points that you too can use. 

I thought this last image was a cute summary beyond what God tells us but I think He might agree. I know that He does with the first image! That is my hope always! Christ-centered!

[credit]

Love Yourself-Stay Honest-Redefine Intimacy-Maintain Equality-Stay Independent

 

“People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”~John Maxwell "In other words, before you attempt to direct, you must connect." from Restoring Relationships YV plan

The following is a combination of my ad lib to prayers from "Restored Relationships"

Lord, I thank You for giving freely and generously. Show me ways to share what has been given to me to help others have more just lives. Help me use my power to serve others, so that justice and peace may belong to all, as You intended by dying for every one of us. I praise You because Your love is so great and You desire that all would flourish. I ask that You would help me to love as You do. Help me celebrate all people and relationship because we are uniquely made in Your image. Thank You Lord for creating each of us with value. No one is worth less in Your sight and no one is worth more. We all are Your unique image bearers. Open my heart to listen to Your Spirit & treat every individual as loved by You.  Amen.

This prayer is for all earthly relationships for those close to us and the strangers that we meet.
"...We need one another..."
The deception and divisive spirit among us needs to end.
I sense that God was speaking to me 
more about all
RELATIONSHIPS
not just the ones familiar to me.
God wanted to stretch me
from the
immediate
to the unknown, 
the strangers and unreached
in our midst
<>
Welcoming the Stranger
and other missions related to this 
have been on my heart 
since I returned from 20 years in Mexico
 in 2016 & it's almost 2023 
The Evangelical Immigration Table
(their film is available by following this link)
"The Stranger" and "Oh Mercy"[40 minutes] [only 12 minutes]
are MUST see
for every Church 
and true believer of 
JESUS CHRIST